Reta Joan (Harper) Bryant was born on June 21, 1940 to Howard and Elsie Ellen (Beasley) Harper 3 Miles North and 1 ½ Miles West of Vici, OK in Woodward County. She lived in Vici, where she attended school until she graduated in May 1958. On November 14, 1959, Joan was married to the love of her life, Garry Clayon Bryant at the office of the Christian Church in Woodward, OK. This union was blessed with two sons, Terry Wayne and Kevin Leroy. She lived in Okmulgee and attended college there while Garry was finishing up his Vo-Tech degree. She moved to Hugoton, KS where Garry had found work as an auto mechanic with Broaddus Chevrolet in December 1960, the family would live there until May 1969. Following this, the family moved to Camargo, OK where Joan lived until her passing.
Joan worked many positions in her life. She worked for Holland's Variety Store in Vici, the Vici Telephone Co., Dr. Young, Holland Sundry, and Josephine McAlary following her buyout of Holland's. She worked at the Fruit of the Loom factory in Woodward for 2 ½ years. She worked at the Vici Nursing Home for 20 years in the laundry department, as a Housekeeping Supervisor, in maintenance, and as supervisor. She also was a farmer's wife, and would help Garry drive a tractor, help around the farm, and even helped with the harvest. Though she helped with harvest, it was with much protest on her part, though she later said that it was good that she had went. While living in Hugoton, KS, she was a book-keeper for Strickland Construction. During that time she lived at "Peaches" mobile home park, and she managed that for about 6 years. After Garry had passed away, Joan got into the Longhorn business, and really enjoyed them. She also enjoyed traveling with the Jamboree Travelers from Clinton, OK several times a year. She enjoyed watching NCIS on TV. She was a member of the CWF at the Camargo Christian Church, a member of the Dewey County OHCE organization, the Dewey County Historical Society. She was inducted into the DCHS Hall of Fame in 2009 and she had been the Secretary for several years. She was also a part of the South Canadian Neighbors Center and was the Vassar Cemetery Secretary/Treasurer.
Joan was baptized into the Church of Christ in Hugoton, KS in 1965. When she moved to Camargo, she attended the Vici Church of Christ. Following Garry's passing, she attended the First Christian Church of Camargo. Most important of all to Joan was her family, and she loved her sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren dearly.
Preceding Joan in death are her husband, Garry Bryant; father, Howard Harper; mother, Elsie Harper; grandson, Dustin Bryant; granddaughter, Erin Bryant; brother, Leroy Harper; father-in-law, Marion Bryant; mother-in-law, Ava Bryant; sister-in-law, Marjorie Harding; and sister-in-law, Coleen Harper. Surviving Joan is her son, Terry Bryant and wife Robin of Camargo; son, Kevin Bryant and wife Jodi of Camargo; brother, Howard William Harper of Hydro, OK; granddaughter, Laura Bryant; granddaughter, Heather Spencer and husband Roxy; granddaughter, Erika Bryant; grandson Brandon Bryant and wife Crystal; grandson Dakota Bryant; grandson Kelby Bryant and wife Lindsey; great-grandchildren, Cameron and Natalie Spencer, Rien and Bryant Sissom, Paiton and Hadlie Quinn, Cooper, Asher and Oliver Bryant, Hadley Harrel; many Nieces, Nephews and a host of friends and loved ones.

Memorial donations may be made to either Vici Camargo EMT & Fire or Vassar Cemetery c/o Shaw Funeral Home (P.O. Box 276, Vici, OK 73859).