Heaven gained a new organist for their choir. Anne Helen (Byrd) Bryan has moved on to the ultimate music section in the universe.
Anne Helen Byrd Bryan passed away peacefully on Sunday Jan. 24, 2021. She was born on July 31, 1937.
Anne was a woman of many talents. To all who were a part of her life music would be the connection that played its rhythm through our lives. She was a pianist, organist, and teacher. Anne shared her gift of music through those venues as well as her everyday life. If you entered her home, it was fairly certain that music would be playing somewhere somehow.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Amanda Carol Dove, and step-father, Joseph Mack Baker; husband, Bill Bryan; and brothers Jim Baker and Peter Baker.
Anne is survived by her children, Laurence (Diana) Bryan of Billings, Mo., and Melissa (Tim) Mohan of Newton, N.J.; stepchildren, Carl (Lois) Simpson of Edwardsville Ill, and Grant Simpson of Phoenix, Ariz.; grandchildren, Anne Mohan and Gemma Mohan; brother Joseph (Martha) Baker of Charlotte, N.C.; sister-in-law, Rosalie Baker of Little River, S.C.; sister-in-law, Pamela Baker of Cheraw, S.C.; nieces, Anna Maria Baker (Craig) Watson, Carolyn (Rich) Northrup and Rebecca Baker; nephews, Mack (Gena) Baker, Jim (Carrie) Baker, and Carey Baker. There are also many great-nieces, nephews, cousins, many fellow musicians, students and friends who were all dear to Anne.
A graveside service will be held at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. There will also be a time of remembrance and celebration of life held in Cheraw, S.C.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Cheraw Arts Commission, P.O. Box 219, Cheraw, SC 29520 or to the Alzheimer’s Association (act.alz.org/donate).
Arrangements are under the direction of Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, Newton.