Mary Frances Bryant Lea

From Denise Kelley, LuAnn Tarvin, David Lea and Linda Garman:

Fairy tales can come true.

It can happen to you,

If you're young at heart."

It is never easy to share the news that a loved one has passed on, yet it is part of the cycle of life. Our mother, Mary Frances Bryant Lea, left this world on January 25, 2024, at 5:20 P.M. Denise was with her, so we know and take solace in the fact that it was an easy transition for Mom, moving from this world to the next. Our world is a little less colorful today, however we rejoice in the fact that she is free from the constraints of this earth.

Our mother had a full and happy fairy tale life for 91 years and she remained young at heart for all of her 33,472 days on this plane. Young at Heart is one of the Sinatra songs that Dad would sing to her and the lyrics certainly personify Mary Lea.

Mom lived each day to the fullest with the love of her life, Charles T. Lea, whom she met while still a teenager living in Franklin, OH. Together they raised the four of us while still enjoying time spent dancing, socializing with friends, and traveling. Upon retirement, they took that up several notches and danced, sang, socialized, and traveled even more. She had a grand life.

Mom adored the four of us and always thought we were the best at everything we did. Also, near and dear to her heart were her sons in-law Dennis Kelley, Ted Tarvin, and Mike Garman and her daughter-in-law, Patty Lea. Her spirit lives on in her nine grandsons, Craig Kelley, Adam Tarvin, Brad Kelley, Chad Kelley, David Tarvin, Drew Tarvin, Kyle Lea, Chris Garman, and Casey Garman and her granddaughter, Amber Lea, and in her thirteen great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Silas and Ethel Bryant, her three brothers, Hayward Bryant, Harley Bryant, and Bob Bryant, her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Henry Holida Lea & Carrie Lea, and all of her sisters and brother in-laws.

We are thankful for the gifts she instilled in all of us, her cheerful outlook, her sense of fun and adventure, and her general love of life. Best of all, Mom could always find humor in every situation. We are a story-telling family and the stories of our lives with both Mom and Dad bring us much laughter every time we are together.

Her life was so blessed with some of the most amazing people, many who have gone on before her. We visualize her rejoicing with them since her journey home. We are quite certain Dad greeted Mom with, "Damn it, Mary. It is about time you got here." Fly high, dear mama.

Mom requested that there be no service, so the family is planning a trip to her (and Dad's) favorite place on earth in Alabama to celebrate the life of our beautiful mom.

Many thanks to all of you who have been part of her amazing journey. Moore Family Funeral Homes serving the family. Memorials may be directed to the Fisher House that helps families have a place to stay while a Veteran family member is at the VA Hospital in Cincinnati, OH. Make your check to the Fisher House 3200 Vine Street Cincinnati, OH 45220 or phone : 513-475-6571 or online  fisherhousecinci.org