Donivee (Skaggs) Bryant

Donivee "Donna" Bryant, a radiant beacon of love, laughter, and sass, went to be with the Lord on May 4, 2024, at the age of 84, in Tatum, TX. Born on March 5, 1940, in the quaint town of Winnie Wood, OK, her family moved to Kilgore at an early age. Donna's early years were filled with the kind of Southern charm and wit that would define her for the rest of her days. Donna's life was a masterclass in comedy and love, starting from the day she met the love of her life, Paul Bryant Sr., in Kilgore, TX, at the tender age of 13. She always joked that she had to marry him at 16 because, "Who else could handle this much personality?" Together, they shared a monumental 67 years of marriage, filled with laughter, occasional eye-rolls, and an abundance of love. She was the beloved matriarch of a family that includes her doting husband, Paul Sr., her pride and joy, Paul Jr. and his wife Elizabeth, her darling daughter Tina McKinley and husband Mike, and her youngest, the ever-charming Billy Bryant and his wife Kim.

Donna's legacy extended to a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even great-great-grandchildren, all of whom inherited her sparkling eyes and mischievous grin. Donna was also the cherished sister to Cindy and Tammy, and the sister-in-arms to brothers Frank Jr. and Johnny Mack. Her lessons weren't from textbooks, but from the tales she told, the meals she cooked, and the unwavering support she provided. She was the epitome of what it meant to be loving, funny, and selfless, always putting a twist of humor into every situation. Donna's days were spent spreading joy and doling out advice, whether you wanted it or not.

She had a knack for making everyone feel special, and her comedic timing was impeccable. Her stories were the stuff of legend, often leaving listeners wondering where the truth ended and the tall tales began. But that was Donna-she believed life was too important to be taken seriously all the time. A feisty spirit with a heart of gold, Donna was the personification of the phrase "to know her was to love her." She could light up a room with her smile and fill it with laughter with just a word. Her selfless nature meant she often put others before herself.

As we bid farewell to Donna, we're reminded that the world was a better place for having her in it. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend who left us with memories that will echo with laughter for generations to come. Her departure may have left a void, but it's filled with the warmth and love that were the hallmarks of her time with us.

Donivee "Donna" Bryant's story doesn't end here. It lives on in the lives she touched, the jokes she told, and the love she shared. So share a laugh, and celebrate a life spectacularly lived.

A Life Celebration will be held Friday May 10th at 10 a.m. in the Cammack Family Chapel of Welch Funeral Home, a time of visitation on Thursday May 9th from 5-7 p.m. at Welch Funeral Home.