Guelda Cortner Bryan

Dalzell, SC…Guelda Cortner Bryan, age 83, wife of the late Garis Leon Bryan, died on Saturday, June 13, 2020 at her residence.

Born in Grant City, MO, she was the daughter of the late Weldon Clyde Cortner and Audrey Kobbe Cortner.  As a young child her family moved to St. Joseph, MO.  She graduated from Lafayette High School in 1955 where she was frequently seen with Arlene Meers, Shirley Martin, Jackie Cramer and Virginia. Upon completing Platt & Gards Business School, she worked at Mercy Hospital with Arlene on the night shift. One night while at the Hilltop with friends she met Garis Bryan and she married him July of 1957.  Garis was in the USAF and together they lived in Okinawa and Oklahoma City.  While Garis served in Vietnam, Guelda moved back to St. Joseph where she lived on Mitchell Ave and worked at HD Lee with her sister-in-law Louise Cortner.  Upon his return from Vietnam Garis moved her and their three children to Sumter, SC in 1969.

In the first part of the 70’s Guelda began working at Santee Print Works where she remained employed for the next 30 years.  During her time at Santee Print Works, she became the first woman to hold a salaried position and the first female traffic manager.  As a traffic manager she became involved with the formation of the Greater Sumter Area Traffic Club where she held the position of club treasurer for several years.  She and Garis loved to go camping. They were members of both the NCT Square Dealers Camping Club and the Gamecock City Sam’s Camping Club.  They attended rallies in Myrtle Beach SC, Orlando FL, Lebanon TN, Rayne LA, York PA, Greenville OH, Sedalia MO and Perry GA.

Guelda was an active member of Dalzell United Methodist Church and served her church and community through the Dorcas Closet, Salkehatchie, UMW and feeding the homeless of Sumter. She was a member of the Midlands Walk to Emmaus Community and went to a gathering any time someone would offer to let her ride with them.  Guelda was also an active member of the Dalzell Divas Red Hat Club and wore her colors proudly.

Some things everyone knew about Guelda was her love for Elvis Pressley, there were more pictures and statutes of Elvis than there were pictures of her family members in her home.  No matter what mood she was in Mr. Presley could put a smile on her face. When she was in her late 30’s she took a cake decorating class and enjoyed decorating cakes, but only decorated one wedding cake, saying “this will be the last one” and the only other wedding cake she said she would do would be her daughter’s; however, when the time came Guelda insisted someone else make the cake. Some odd things she enjoyed eating was dill pickle and peanut butter sandwiches; potato chips and chocolate cake; the rind off an orange; oreo cookies and bologna. The most important thing everyone knew about Guelda was she was willing to lend a hand when needed.

She is survived by: two sons, Gregory Bryan of Savannah, MO and Garth Bryan and wife Ruth of Savannah, MO; a daughter, Glenda Painter and her husband John of Dalzell, SC; a sister Linda Sue Atkinson of St. Joseph, MO; three grandchildren, Amanda (Chad) Bryan, Jessica Bryan and April Painter and three great grandchildren.

In addition to her husband and parents, she is predeceased by; three brothers, Larry Cortner, Haldane Cortner and Gerry Cortner and three sisters, Ramona Cortner Downing, Kaye Cortner and Pam Cortner Bushong.

A funeral service will be held Monday, June 22, 2020 at 12:0 pm Bullock Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, June 21 2020, from 3:00-5:00 pm at Bullock Funeral Home.

You may view the service via live streaming at www.bullockfuneralhome.com and clicking on the obituary page of Guelda Bryan.

In Lieu of flowers, donations maybe made to Dalzell UMC, 3330 Black River Road, Dalzell, SC 29040.

You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com and sign the family’s guest book.

The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home for the arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Guelda Cortner Bryan, please visit our floral store.