Mrs. Bonnie Ward Bryant of Morganton, formerly of Marion, age 83, went to be with her Heavenly Father on May 10, 2013 at Autumn Care Nursing Home in Drexel, NC. Born in Buncombe County on November 10, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Joe and Daisy Ward. She was a homemaker and Pastor's wife for 65 years of her life. Mrs. Bryant was a member of Smart's Grove Baptist Church in Morganton and formerly a member of West Court Baptist Church for 38 years as their Pastor's wife. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Billy Bryant; two sisters, Gladys Buckner and Pearl Bradley and three brothers, Frank, Grady and Edward Ward.

She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Jean Lail and husband Jerry of Morganton and Mrs. Joan Rovenstine and husband Loy of Morganton; two sons, Mr. David Bryant and wife Debbie and Mr. Robert Bryant and wife Linda, all of Morganton; seven grandchildren, Chris Tilley of Charlotte, Dean Short of Franklin, Tenn., Justin Lail and Brandi Bryant, both of Morganton, Lisa, David and Crystal Bryant, all of Marion; fourteen great grandchildren and one niece, Mrs. Phyllis Smith of Hendersonville.

Also surviving are her loving caregivers and friends, Ms. Dawn Roper, Mrs. Kay Mosteller, Mrs. Sandy Miller and the wonderful nurses and CNA's of Autumn Care Nursing Facility and Hospice of Burke County.

Funeral services will be held Monday, May 13, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Westmoreland Funeral Home in Marion with Revs. Charles Lewis, Ross Lewis, Wade Huntley, Curtis Barbery, Bobby Smith and Dr. Tom Walker officiating. Interment will follow at West Court Baptist Church Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be, Chris Tilley, Dean Short, David Bryant, Dewey Cook, James Robinson and Mike Silver. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Mr. Bill Huskins and Mr. Dock Buckner.