Lorena Manci Bryars, 91, born March 26, 1918 in Macon, Ga., died Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009 at North Baldwin Infirmary in Bay Minette.
She was the daughter of Orlando J. and Maude Lowrey Manci. She was a 1937 graduate of the Baldwin County High School. She was a 1941 graduate of Huntingdon College in Montgomery. She taught school in Phenix City until marrying Thomas Savage Bryars in 1944.
Her teaching career continued in Bay Minette until the end of World War II. She taught school in Auburn. She was a life long member of the Methodist Church and active in many activities of the church. She was organist and pianist, starting in Bay Minette as a teenager until age 90.
She was a Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader; a volunteer with the Red Cross; and served for many years on the Bay Minette Public Library Board.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Savage Bryars; a daughter, Cynthelia “Telia” Bryars; two sons, George T. Bryars and Clay R. Bryars; two sisters, Florence M. Webb and Frances M. Law; and a devoted friend, Dixie McKee Hamilton.
Survivors include a son, Thomas S. (Carolyn) Bryars of Bay Minette; daughter, Amelia B. (Earl) Stephens of Bay Minette; brother, Orlando J. (Doris) Manci Jr. of Arlington, Texas; 11 grandchildren, Carla M. Chiang, Camille M. Allen, Michael E. (Ann) Mee Jr., Sarah E. Mee, Beth B. (Jason) Lamey, Teresa B. Ryan, Manci Bryars, Virginia Manci Stephens, William Earl Stephens III, George Thomas Stephens and Dillon Savage Bryars; and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Thursday, Sept. 10 at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. D.K. Christenberry, Dr. Jeff Spicer and the Rev. Julia Webb-Bowden officiating. Burial followed at Bay Minette Cemetery.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the First United Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 338, Bay Minette, AL 36507 or to the charity of your choice.
Arrangements were made by Norris Funeral Home, Bay Minette.
