Anita Bryant Dry Obituary – Oklahoman

Anita Bryant Dry—former Miss Oklahoma, three-time Grammy-nominated singer, Christian creator, recipient of the USO Silver Medallion for Service, Veterans of International Wars Management Gold Medallion, and Al Jolson Gold Medallion—died at her house in Edmond, Oklahoma, on Monday, December 16, 2024, surrounded by her household and pals. She was 84 years previous.

Born on March 25, 1940, in Barnsdall, Oklahoma, to Lenora (Berry) Bryant and Warren Bryant, Anita spent her early years surrounded by the love of her household and the Christian religion that may information her all through her life. Her ardour for music and efficiency blossomed early, main her to a profession that included her personal TV present on the age of 12, her crowning as Miss Oklahoma on the age of 18, visitor spots on Arthur Godfrey’s CBS applications and on Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand,” and chart hits “Until There Was You,” “Paper Roses,” “In My Little Nook of the World,” and “Wonderland by Evening.”

For seven consecutive years, Anita carried out with Bob Hope’s vacation excursions for U.S. troops overseas. Hope dubbed her his troupe’s “den mom” due to her propensity for taking good care of others. She sang on the White Home for President Lyndon B. Johnson and at his graveside service. In 1968 Anita sang at each the Republican and the Democratic nationwide conventions. She was identified particularly for her rendition of “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

On the lighter leisure facet, Anita additionally sang on the Tremendous Bowl in 1971 and cohosted the nationally televised section of the Orange Bowl Parade for 9 years. She served because the TV spokesperson for Florida orange juice for 9 years and for Coca-Cola for seven years.

Later in life she led Anita Bryant Ministries Worldwide, a company encouraging others to dwell with religion and objective. Such dedication prolonged to her household. Anita was a loving mom to her 4 kids—Bobby, Gloria, Billy, and Barbara—and a loyal grandmother to her seven grandchildren. She beloved to jot down Bible songs and educate them to her grandchildren after they had been small. In subsequent years Anita continued to jot down and sing about God’s love at any time when and wherever she might. (Her story will be discovered in additional depth on the Anita Bryant Ministries Worldwide web site.)

Anita was preceded in loss of life by her husband, Charlie; her mother and father, Lenora and Warren; her stepfather, George; her sister, Sandra; and her half brother, Sonny. She left behind her 4 kids, two stepdaughters, and 7 grandchildren and their spouses, who will cherish her legacy of religion and love. Anita additionally left behind a beloved prolonged household—in addition to her church household, pals, and neighbors—who gave of themselves to her in some ways.

Could Anita’s reminiscence and her religion in everlasting life via Christ consolation all who embraced her.