Clarita Bryan
Clarita Bryan, 92, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, passed away on November 28, 2025. Her funeral service at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Abilene, Texas, will be held on Friday, December 5, beginning at 1 p.m., with Tommy Wolfe officiating.
Clarita Marie James entered this world on Tuesday, September 12, 1933, in Mineral Wells, Texas. She was the first of two children born to Dorothea Smith and Tillman Thurman James. Clarita spent her early years in Mineral Wells. When she was 12 years old, Clarita and her family moved to Abilene, Texas. Clarita graduated from high school in Abilene and attended Abilene Christian College.
On April 2, 1953, Clarita married Billy Mack Gray. God blessed that union with three children: Rebecca Diane, Deborah Lynn, and David Mackey. Clarita and family made their home in Abilene, where they all took active roles in the family business . . . Mackey’s Sports, Toys & Western World. Bill and Clarita opened their home to foster children. Between 1965 and 1975, they fostered 39 children. Clarita also shared a passion for horses with her daughter, Debbie.
On July 18, 1992, Clarita married John Walter Bryan. John quickly became a much beloved member by the entire family. John and Clarita made their home in Breckenridge, Texas. After her 90th birthday, Clarita moved to Tulsa to live near her son. She enjoyed watching wildlife and exploring the Tulsa area. She also enjoyed getting to hear her son preach each week.
Clarita is survived by: her sister Maunie Lou Alkire and her husband Erwin; a daughter, Debbie Dowdy and her husband Cliff; her son David Gray and his wife Jan; grandchildren Renee Gray and Darren Linkman, Jarrott and Danna Dowdy, Connie Goad, and Bryan and Lauren Dowdy; great-grandchildren Aubrey Linkman, Allison Dowdy, Camden Dowdy, Lily Goad, Liam Dowdy, Evie Dowdy, and Hattie Dowdy.
Clarita is preceded in death by: her parents Dorothea and Tillman James; her husbands, Bill Gray and John Bryan; and a daughter Becky Gray. And, on Friday, November 28, 2025, Clarita Bryan passed from this life.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Mission Printing Inc. and left at Melton-Kitchens Funeral Home or sent directly to 2707 Medlin Drive, Arlington, TX, 76015 (https://www.missionprinting.us/). Condolences can be left at meltonkitchens.com.
