Doris Bryant

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Doris was the daughter of Revis Efton “Ike” Bryant and Connie Cross Bryant. She grew up in the suburb of Raytown and graduated from Raytown High School in 1956. Her parents moved to Hot Springs in 1957 when Ike was offered the opportunity to join the Keith Smith Company. Doris stayed in Missouri and attended Missouri Valley College where she was a member of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority.

After visiting her parents in Hot Springs, Arkansas during holidays and summer vacations, she decided to begin training for a career in nursing at St. Joseph’s School of Nursing. Doris was inspired to become a nurse while caring for her beloved grandmother during a long illness. Upon graduation from nursing school in 1961, she began working at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hot Springs.

She paused her nursing career to be a full-time mother to her daughters. As a young mother, she made a home full of love, nature, books, music, and laughter. She was an outstanding seamstress capable of creating any costume or outfit – much to the delight of her daughters. Once her girls were busy at school she returned to her career.

In 1969, she joined McConkie Orthopedic Clinic. She spent the next 24 years as the clinic's business manager and orthopedic assistant. In 1991 she paused her career again as she became the primary caregiver for her mother. When she returned to work, she looked for opportunities in Little Rock. She worked first at Systemedic and then Practice Plus. In 1998, she joined Little Rock Eye Clinic as the office manager. Announcing her retirement in 2010, Dr. Cliff Clifton credited her with helping to expand the practice from four doctors, one office, and 21 employees to nine doctors, two offices, and 50 employees. He also noted that, “For many of the employees and doctors, she has helped us in our work, but also our personal lives.”

She was a passionate gardener, cross-stitcher, pie maker and antique collector, loyal friend, and neighbor, who was always interested to hear about everyone’s adventures. In retirement, she embraced the role of Grammy, sharing her love of nature with her granddaughter. She also passed on her beliefs that kindness matters and all living things deserve comfort and care. She will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her.

She was predeceased by her parents and her brother, Donald Lee Bryant, and several wonderful dogs. Survivors include daughter Lauren Adkins, daughter and son-in-law D’Layne and Steve Radke, granddaughter Eleanor Radke, and her loving rescue pup, Ollie.

The family would like to thank the kind and loving nurses and caregivers over the years. Most especially those going above and beyond in her final days, Jim and Jan Campbell, Ken Wachtendorf, Arkansas Hospice, Ashley Sinclair, Courtney Hoffman, Nicci Hale and Angelia Tullos. Thank you for the love and support of dear friends and neighbors.

Memorials may be made to Garvan Woodland Gardens, 540 Arkridge, Hot Springs, AR 71913, Humane Society of Garland County, P.O. Box 1484, Hot Springs, AR 71902, or Jackson House, 705 Malvern Avenue, Hot Springs, AR 71901.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grossfuneralhome.com for the Bryant family.