Gail Bryant

Gail R. Bryant, 75, of Danville, Illinois, passed from this world and into eternal glory on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at her home, with family by her side.

She was born October 3, 1948, in Alton, Illinois, daughter of the late Dale and Ruth (Wilson) Everts.

She married Philip Bryant on March 18, 1965, in Danville, Illinois, and he survives.

Surviving along with her husband are her sons: Mark (Lisa) Bryant of Danville, Jeff Bryant of Indianapolis, Indiana, Todd Bryant of Breckenridge, MO; her bonus son: Chris Heeren of Danville; her brother: Bill Everts of Houston, TX; her grandchildren: Philip (Vanessa Granados) Bryant, Danielle Bryant, Kiersten (Tejuan) Jackson, Jacob Goble, Joey Heeren, Max Heeren, Abigail Goble, Jarrod Goble, Morgan Bryant, Andrea Downing and Peyton Bryant; and her great-grandchildren: Lawrence, Xoe, Jaylin, Xavier, Rowen, Tristan, Oliver, Teeana, Beckett, Ivory and Parker.

Along with her parents, Gail was preceded in death by her daughter: Melissa Heeren; her sister: Pamela Neronde; and her brother: Len Everts

Gail was a current member of the St. James United Methodist Church in Danville, and former member of the Second Church of Christ in Danville. Her faith was of great importance to her, and she proudly served the congregation of St. James United Methodist Church for 20 years, with the last 15 as the office manager, before her retirement. Gail loved nature, spending free time biking or walking the local state and county parks, particularly Kennekuk Cove County Park. She could often be found tending her many flower gardens at her home in the country, or going on walks in nature picking raspberries and blackberries in their season, which were used to make pies, jellies, and jams. She loved to brighten her friends and families’ day by taking these, along with many varieties of homemade cookies, candies and sweet treats, and delivering them to friends and family, particularly when she knew they needed some encouragement. Gail loved taking her granddaughters to yard sales and thrift stores to look for antiques to use in decorating her home, which was another passion of hers. She spent many holidays making arts and crafts with her grandchildren, fashioning ornaments and nicknacks that could be displayed and enjoyed year after year as reminders of time spent together with them. She adored having her grandkids come out to her country home in the summer and spend up to a week at a time with them, teaching them all of the things that a grandmother loves to pass on to younger generations.

Her lasting legacy will be the example she set of selflessly putting the needs of others ahead of her own, giving both her time and energy to guide, teach, and assist, to ensure that their needs were met not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well. She was determined to pass these character traits, along with her knowledge of baking, cooking, crafting, gardening, and so many others, on to her beloved grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life for Gail will be held on Sunday, October 6th at 1:00 PM central time, at the Hideaway Shelter at Kennekuk Cove County Park in Danville, IL.

Memorials in Gail’s name may be made to the Vermilion County Conservation District.

Please join Gail’s family in sharing memories, photos and videos on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.