Erline Bryant

Erline Bryant, 83, of Lake Charles, passed away on Thursday November 3, 2022, at a Lafayette, LA hospital following a brief illness.

Erline was a native of San Antonio, TX where she graduated from Blessed Sacrament Academy. She made Lake Charles her home in 1969 and retired after 25 years of dedicated service to the Calcasieu Parish School Board. She was a faithful member of St. Martin De Pores Catholic Church and worked with the children at Trinity Baptist Church right up to the day she became ill. Erline will not only be remembered for her love of others, drinking coffee and visiting special friends, but for her kind, generous and sweet spirit and giving to others.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John Joseph and Ruth Margaret Hagen Brady; son, Ronald Meistrell and a brother John Patrick Brady. Those left to honor and cherish her memories are her beloved husband of 35 years, Donald “Don” Bryant, Lake Charles; two sons, Richard Meistrell and wife Melody, Duncanville, TX; Randy Meistrell, and wife Janet, Carlyss; two daughters, Tammy Derouen and husband Kenneth, Hayes and Tricia McKelvain and husband Doug, Reeves; daughter in law, Rita Meistrell, Lake Charles; two sisters, Barbara Ann Reeves, Kyle, TX and Maryanne Waters, Devine, TX; ten grandchildren, Tiffany young, Allison Whitten, Tracy Meistrell, Benjamin Meistrell, Amy Slater, Daniel Meistrell,, Crystal Kinlaw, Kendrea Thibodeaux, Blake Cole, and Bobby McKelvain; twenty seven great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and those that Erline considered family of the heart.

Visitation will be on Monday November 7, 2022, from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM at the chapel of Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles. A Celebration of Erline’s Life will begin at 11:00 AM, officiated by Rev. Jerry Parmentier. Burial will follow at the Old Ritchie Cemetery in Moss Bluff.