Dorothy Loraine Bryant, of Temple, Texas, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.

Dorothy was born on January 4, 1947, in Newton, Kansas, to William Earl Gibbens and Lillie Adger Gibbens. She was preceded in death by her parents; her biological brother, Donald Gibbens; and her paternal uncle, David "Butch" Gibbens, who was raised as her brother.

She is survived by her devoted husband of more than 34 years, Bill Bryant of Temple, Texas. She is also survived by her children: James Hiebert, Stephanie Churchwell, Kimberly Ermis, Billy Kirk Bryant, and Kyla Ketchum. She was a loving grandmother to 15 grandchildren and a cherished great-grandmother to 17 great-grandchildren. To all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she was simply known as "MeMa," a name that reflected the warmth, love, and comfort she brought to her family.

In October 1966, Dorothy married Ron Hiebert. They were married for 25 years and welcomed two children together. During that time, Dorothy attended Hesston College School of Nursing and began a career that reflected her compassionate heart. She worked as a neonatal intensive care NICU nurse and later served as Charge Nurse at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas. Caring for premature babies was one of her greatest passions, and she considered it a privilege to care for the smallest and most vulnerable patients.

Following her divorce, Dorothy continued her nursing career at DaVita Dialysis Center in Wichita, Kansas.

She later married Billy Frank "Bill" Bryant, and together they blended their family of five children into a close and loving home. Family was the center of Dorothy's life, and she especially treasured hosting large holiday gatherings at Lake Waltanna in Goddard, Kansas, where countless memories were made with family and friends.

After Bill retired, they moved to Temple, Texas, where Dorothy joined the staff at Scott & White Pediatric Clinic. She faithfully served the children and families of the community until her retirement, leaving a lasting impact through her kindness, compassion, and dedication.

Dorothy's faith in God was the foundation of her life. She was a member of the 7th Day Adventist Church of Temple and found great joy in worship, prayer, and serving others. She loved tending to her flower gardens, caring for her beloved pets, and spending time visiting with neighbors, always offering a warm smile and a listening ear.

Anyone who knew Dorothy knew that her greatest joy was her family. Whether she was caring for babies in the NICU, gathering loved ones around the table and holidays or being "MeMa" to her grandchildren, she lived a life marked by compassion, generosity, and unwavering faith.

She was dearly loved and will be deeply missed, but her family finds comfort in knowing she is now at peace in the presence of her Savior.

Funeral services will be held at Mendez and Mullins Family Funeral Home in Hereford, Texas on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with a graveside service to follow at West Park Cemetery.