Eunice J. (Bryant) Cantrell (Seymour)'s Obituary
Long-time and well-respected Seymour resident, Eunice Bryant Cantrell, peacefully departed this earthly life Sunday morning, August 9, 2020, at Glenwood Healthcare in Seymour, Missouri. She was ninety-one years, seven months, and fifteen days wise.
One of twelve children, she was born Eunice Jean Townlian on December 24, 1928, at home in Ava, Missouri, to George Newton and Ethel Jewel (Bookout) Townlian. She was raised in the Seymour area and attended Ragsdale School. Eunice worked at Tobin-Hamilton Shoe Factory for several years and then focused on making a beautiful home for her loved ones. Eunice took good care of herself and her appearance and was always ‘put together’ – a true lady in every sense. She felt the same way about her home – it was continually spotless. Eunice’s faith was just as flawless. She was a devout and involved member of Seymour First Baptist Church. She enjoyed growing flowers, was excellent at sewing and made beautiful quilts and embroidery. To say Eunice loved to cook and was good at it is an understatement. She prepared three course meals for her family every single day. She was an excellent baker, always baking pies and cakes, only to share with friends, neighbors, and folks who rented from her various properties in Seymour. When someone in the community died, one could be sure Eunice would be one of the first to bring a pie, cake, or some delicious dish to the decedent’s family’s home. Wonderful food made with love was her gift and she genuinely enjoyed sharing it. Eunice truly cared about everyone. Near or far, she adored her ever-growing, blended family. She didn’t use the prefix ‘step-‘ when referring to her children and grandchildren. She was a special aunt to so many nieces and nephews. She was a loving and caring sister and sister-in-law. Eunice had also been a devoted wife, dedicated homemaker, and in later years, a committed caretaker. Having been blessed with ninety-one years of life and family, Eunice was greeted in Heaven by a whole host of loved ones. In addition to her parents, preceding her in death were her husbands, Dresden Edward Bryant, Ray Johns, Sr., and Johny Obe Cantrell, Sr.; five siblings, infant brother, Emory Lee Townlian, Glen and Ruby Townlian, Helen and Harold Sherertz, Hazel and Fred Longwith, and Maxine and Carl Pogue; brothers-in-law, Bethel Barnett, Gordon Denney, Ken Smith, Wayne Pogue, George Wolthius, Harold Bryant, Harry J. Bryant, Kenneth Johns, Noel Dean Johns, Bill and Emma Gene Cantrell, and Reverend Roy Cantrell; sisters-in-law, Gladys Fisher, Ruby Bryant, Judy Kirby, Velda Wright, Edna Schiafley, and Lela Arnold; and son, Ray Johns, Jr. She leaves behind a family of six siblings, Marie Denney, of Renton, Washington, Yvonne Pogue, of Sparta, Missouri, Louvene Wolthius, of Seymour, Wilma Smith, of Douglas, Kansas, Linda Barnett, of Marshfield, Missouri, and Gary and Bonnie Townlian, of Seymour; sister-in-law, Arneta Cantrell, of Seymour, and brother-in-law, LD and Mary Cantrell, of Monett, Missouri; her adoring children and their spouses, Bill and Phyllis Johns, Jim and Melinda Johns, Kay Johns, Bonnie Sue Goller, Angela and Chris Zimmerman, Sherrie and Mike Mingle, Robert and Andrea Cantrell, and Gene and Andrea Cantrell; a doting grandmother to numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and proud aunt and great-aunt to even more nieces and nephews; her loving church family, and countless friends and neighbors. Eunice Jean Bryant Cantrell was deeply loved. She will be sadly missed by all and fondly remembered as a genuinely kind human spirit.
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