Reba Bryant Morgan

Reba Virginia Bryant Morgan, 87 of Kingsland passed away on Friday, January 22, 2010 at the Dallas County Medical Center in Fordyce. She was the eldest child of Clarence E. and Lizzie Waldrop Bryant. Born on October 1, 1922 in to a large extended family home in the Smith Chapel Community, Reba learned early the importance of family ties, a lesson she wanted to pass on to others her entire life.

As a child, she attended school at the rural Stonewall School near her home, at New Edinburg and Kingsland. Reba graduated from Kingsland High School in 1940 and furthered her education at Draghon's School of Business in Little Rock. Upon completion, she worked at the Cleveland County Ration office during World War II, living in Rison with a friend. During this time, she met and fell in love with her Navy man, Martin Morgan.

Reba and Martin were married on October 12, 1943. During the war, Martin served overseas. During his stations stateside, she joined him for short stays in New York City and San Francisco, CA. After the war, they settled in Rison where Martin ran and was elected Cleveland County Sheriff. In the early 1950's, the Morgans relocated to Smith Chapel where they made their home and started a business, Morgan LP Gas Company.

Losing her husband in 1966, Reba continued to run the gas business with her brother for several years. Upon selling the business, she went to work for the Fordyce News-Advocate where she worked until her retirement in 1987.

After retirement, Reba began work on a hobby which she enjoyed for the rest of her life, genealogy and family research. She located family connections with past generations of Bryant's, Smith's, Waldrop's, and any other family who crossed their path. A devoted caregiver, she also tirelessly tended to any and all family members in need including her own parents, her mother-in-law, and her own daughter, Karen. Reba served as the Secretary-Treasurer of Smith-Morgan Cemetery and on the board for many years, being instrumental in the cemetery forming a perpetual care fund.

A lifelong active member of the Smith Chapel Church of God, Reba lived her faith each and every day through her devotion to her church, her family, and her many friends.

She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, and her oldest daughter, Karen Ann Morgan.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Becky and Keith Cheney of White Hall; two grandsons, Jeff Cheney of White Hall and Chris Cheney of Little Rock; a brother and sister-in-law, Billy and Mickey Bryant of New Edinburg; a sister, Betty Lowe of Peoria, Arizona; a sister-in-law, Frances Holderfield of Rison; and a host of nieces, nephews and their children and many friends.

Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday at Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce. A funeral service in celebration of her life will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday at Smith Chapel Church of God with Shane Matthews officiating. Burial will follow at Smith-Morgan Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Smith Chapel Church of God 50 Morgan Road Kingsland, AR 71652 or to the Smith- Morgan Cemetery Association C/O Paula Searcy 1400 Hwy 8 East Kingsland, AR 71652 . Arrangements by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.com .