Evelyn “Cookie” Bryant, of Bradenton, Fla., and formerly of Warsaw, passed away surrounded by her family on March 14, 2023, at Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton, after a brief illness.

Evelyn “Cookie” Bryant

Cookie was born on May 9, 1951, in Prestonsburg, Ky., to the late Robert and Bureda Stephens. She attended Pierceton High School and on Nov. 10, 1969, she married Billie Bryant, who survives. Together they shared 53 years.

Cookie learned the value of hard work at an early age. She spent more than 25 years with Holiday Rambler RV, retiring in 1995. She was a dedicated mother, grandmother and wife.

Nothing meant more to Cookie than her family; she loved spending time with them, which was good because she had a very large family. She liked relaxing on the beach and enjoying the warm Florida sunshine, having recently moved there. She liked visiting the casino and is remembered for her home-style cooking — famous for her banana pudding, biscuits and gravy, and chicken-‘n’-noodles. She had a great faith in the Lord and a kind and loving but sassy personality. She liked to shop, play card games and visit the Smoky Mountains. She will be dearly missed by her friends and family.

In addition to her husband, Billie, she is survived by two children, Robin (Rick) Groom, of Goshen, and Billy (Belinda Rangel) Bryant, of Warsaw; three grandchildren, Staci (Tyler Peterson) Groom, of Middlebury, Robby (Katherine) Groom, of Elkhart, and Kylar Bryant, of Warsaw; great-grandson, Jett Peterson; step-grandchildren, Mauricio Martinez, Vivianna Martinez and Aaliyah Patino; brothers, Ronnie Stephens, of Warsaw, Don (Dian) Adkins ,of Pierceton, Danny (Vicky) Adkins, of Hunstville, Ala., Gary (Cecelia) Adkins, of Milford, Junior (Melanie) Stephens, of Warsaw, and Joe (Beth) Stephens, of Claypool; and sisters, Faye Campbell, of Warsaw, Debra (Terry) Thompson, of Warsaw, Rita (Kenny) Elder, of Pierceton, Lena (Joe) Ball, of Burket, Tena (Brooks) Huffer, of Warsaw, and Belva Stephens, of Warsaw.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Stacy Bryant; sister, Onda Baker; two brothers, Ray Stephens and Dean Adkins; and stepmother, Lexie Stephens.

Titus Funeral Home is entrusted with the care of Cookie and her family. Friends may gather at the funeral home, 2000 Sheridan St., Warsaw, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, March 24. A life celebration will begin at 1 p.m., led by Pastor Bob Brown of God’s Highway to Heaven Church. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.