Linda Wilson Bryson's Obituary
Linda Wilson Bryson passed from this life to the next on Saturday, December 28, 2019. She was born on August 7, 1927 in Bardwell, KY, to Neely Cromwell Wilson and Thelma Forrester Wilson, and to big brother Keith Wilson, joined later by baby brother, Don Wilson, to whom she was a 2nd mom.
After graduating with honors from Bardwell High School at 16, Linda became a teacher there of business courses that fall, after the school superintendent received special permission from her parents to hire her while a minor. At 18, Linda moved to Memphis, where she scored in the top 2% in the nation on the Civil Service exam, before beginning work at the Memphis Army Depot and later, the American Red Cross. At 19, she married Robert Lindsay (Bob) Phillips, and they had one daughter, Linda (May). After Bob's tragic death at 27, Linda's career as an Executive Secretary began at Highland Heights Baptist Church, then Berclair Baptist Church, and culminated at the IBM Corporation where she worked for 31 years. She started there as Executive Secretary to the Branch Manager, receiving the distinguished IBM Means Service Award seven times, and advancing to become the Director of Human Resources for the Southwest Region of the United States. Linda served tirelessly and in many capacities at her churches, including stints as a Sunday school teacher and Department Director, choir member, and on the Finance, Nominating, Personnel, and Pastor Search committees. she also helped create and maintain a beautiful courtyard garden at HHBC. In 1980, Linda married Walter L Pearson, and they enjoyed 18 wonderful years together, traveling extensively in the United States and Europe. They also loved building their beautiful home in East Memphis, where they hosted large gatherings of their blended family, friends, and church groups, often 50 people or more. Linda was an incredible cook, hostess, and gardener, and she and Walter were often awarded Yard of the Month in their neighborhood. With Walter's encouragement, Linda took up golf in her 50’s. She delighted in being Grandmommie to Robin Kelli May (Rye) and Stephen Carey May, Jr., and later to 5 beautiful great-grand lchildren – Meredith, Ethan, and Wilson Rye, and Joshua and Daniel May. She also adored her son-in-law, Steve May, and her grandchildren-in-love, David Rye and Nancy Kutcher May. A favorite highlight trip for Linda was a visit to her nephew, Philip Wilson, and his family in Nairobi, Kenya, where they served as IMB missionaries, and treated her to a safari, tours of flower farms and a tea garden, and a stay at the famed Ark Hotel.
In September of 2009, Linda married Samuel Bryson, of Somerville Tennessee, where they built a home in the beautiful Woodbridge subdivision. Linda’s landscaping skills helped make their yard a showpiece She and Sam especially enjoyed caring for their little dog Brylie and taking the grandchildren and great-grands horseback riding on his nearby farm.
They also served as volunteers and as Community Advisors on the Board of Directors at Baptist Hospital East, and at Brinkley Heights Ministries, where any memorial contributions may be made.
After Sam's death, Linda joined her daughter and family in Winter Park, Florida, residing at the Allegro Senior Living Center. The family is truly grateful for the wonderful care and kindness she enjoyed there. The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, January 3rd from 1 pm until the time of her service at 2 pm at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Avenue in Memphis.
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