June 20, 1929 – October 10, 2022

Bernadene P. Bryant transitioned into the arms of God on October 10, 2022 at the age of 93 years and four months. Born Frances Bernadene Pingleton on June 20, 1929, she was the only child of Herbert Boyd Pingleton and Dorothy Frances Newberry of Thayer, Missouri. At the time of her death, she resided at The Fremont, an assisted living facility in Springfield, Missouri.

Growing up in Thayer, Bernadene graduated from Thayer High School in 1947, the smartest and prettiest girl in her class. Later in life she completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education at Little Rock University in 1965, and her Master’s Degree in Education at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway in 1969.

In 1948, Bernadene married Robert E. Alspaugh, Jr. of Tulsa, Oklahoma and they soon had a son, Steven K. Bryant, on December 28, 1949. The marriage did not last and Bernadene relocated home to Thayer in 1952. In 1953, she married Colvin B. “Chuck” Bryant of West Plains, Missouri. He adopted Steve and they moved to his boyhood home in North Little Rock, Arkansas. This marriage lasted 25 years and ended in divorce in 1979. Bernadene remained single the rest of her life.

A major focus of her life during the 1950s and 1960s was in helping her son, Steve, in growing up well and becoming capable of life on his own. Bernadene insured that he had everything needed to succeed and provided strong support for all of his activities in his school years and through college. She made sure that he had every opportunity to learn in a safe environment and ferociously defended him as necessary. She also had the highest of expectations for him and encouraged him to set ambitious goals and have the determination and perseverance to achieve them. Later in life, she was very proud of Steve and liked to tell others of his accomplishments. She also was proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and helped support their needs and education growing up, in addition to bestowing some unique Christmas gifts upon them.

Bernadene had a varied and interesting career in public service as a secretary/executive assistant and a teacher/high school guidance counselor. She began her administrative career in Tulsa, Oklahoma and continued it in Little Rock, Arkansas where she moved in 1954. While working for the law firm of McMath, Leatherman and Woods, headed by former Arkansas Governor Sid McMath, she got the opportunity to join the staff of Carleton Harris, then the Chief Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court. She assisted Judge Harris for over 10 years and during that time attended the 1960 Democratic Party Convention in Los Angeles, California, performing transcription and typing services for Sam Rayburn, then Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and Lyndon B. Johnson, then a candidate for President of the United States. She participated in meetings with John F. Kennedy and his brother, Robert, during negotiations that led to Johnson joining the 1960 Democratic Party ticket as the nominee for Vice President.

When Judge Harris decided to retire from Arkansas politics, Bernadene began her second career as a teacher and counselor. She taught English and Business Law at North Little Rock Old Main high school for several years, also serving as a Guidance Counselor there and later at Mills High School in Little Rock and Sylvan Hills High School in North Little Rock. Her teaching career spanned 25 years and she retired in 1989. She helped thousands of Arkansas high school students and was recognized as a very competent and caring counselor.

After completing her teaching career, Bernadene enjoyed an active retirement which she funded from investments made during her working life. She travelled widely and greatly enjoyed trips to Rome, Italy, the Soviet Union (now Russia), China, England and most locations in Europe. She walked on the Great Wall of China, visited Moscow during the Cold War, and enjoyed telling stories about all of her travel adventures. She also rewarded herself with a new car! She always wanted a red Cadillac and in 1990 she bought herself one, a 1990 Coupe De Ville that she proudly kept until 2021 when it was sold having gone only 31,000 miles. By 2005, Bernadene relocated to Springfield, Missouri to be closer to her son, Steve. She enjoyed seeing her grandchildren and participating in reunions of the Bryant Family held at Table Rock Lake each year. In 2018, her health declined, and she moved to assisted living at The Fremont. There she enjoyed playing her Baby Grand piano which resided in her room, working crosswords, coloring in her dog coloring books and writing in her daily journals which she had maintained for more than 40 years. She also enjoyed regaling her visitors with stories of her life and remained mentally sharp and competent until the end.

No summary of Bernadene’s life would be complete with the mention of her great love for dogs. From an early age she always had a favorite dog that she considered a best companion. Tippy, Little Bit, Big Boy and Shorty were all beagles that she loved during the 1950s and 1960s. Miss Muffet was a Spitz-mix who stayed with Bernadene through the 1970s and early 1980s. Major and Minor were Spitz brothers who spent time with her into the 1990s, while Prince and King were two large boys who moved to Missouri with her in 2005. In 2015 she adopted Toby, a Lahasa Apso, from the local Humane Society. He became her last and most devoted companion.

Bernadene was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert (1981) and Dorothy Pingleton (2001), as well as her former husbands, Bob (2000) and Chuck (2002). She is survived by her son, Steve (Rita), three grandchildren, Jackie Bryant of Bentonville, Arkansas, Ross Bryant and Claire Curtis (Derek) of Springfield, Missouri and two greatgrandchildren, Jacob Bullard of Prairie Grove, Arkansas and Bowie Lee Morgan Bryant of Springfield.

A private family Celebration of Life was held in her honor on November 5, 2020. Cremation services were performed by Walnut Lawn Funeral Home and her remains will reside at Steve’s residence on top of her antique Wurlitzer spinet piano which her parents bought for her in 1939. She promised that her family will hear her playing around midnight!