Lurlien Bonita Bryan

Lurlien (Laura) Bonita Harvey was born on February 14, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan. She was the third child of Ellen Overall Triplett and William Harvey. Raised in Southwest Detroit, Laura was baptized and accepted Christ at an early age in the Catholic faith. She remained Catholic throughout her life. Fondly referred to as “Bill” as a testament to her father, Laura embraced life and loved her family. She attended and graduated from the Detroit Public School System.

As a teenager, Laura enjoyed watching Sal Mineo movies and would rush home from school just to watch him on TV. She often joked of her plan to marry him someday. Instead, in 1970, she met the love of her life, Gene Bryan, and they were united in matrimony on January 4, 1975. Theirs was a love affair that truly spanned the test of time! Together, they traveled the world to many places and experienced many cultures, but always made time to frequently visit family. Laura also had a long and established career in the travel industry working for Northwest Airlines, where she retired in 1998.

Shopping was her favorite pastime. She had a meek and humble spirit and her beautiful smile was infectious to everyone she met. She truly possessed a love for life. life.

In 2003, Laura’s health began to decline after she suffered a stroke, from which she fully recovered. Unfortunately, in 2009 a second stroke left her totally bedridden. Her beloved husband, Gene, provided her daily care and tirelessly remained at her bedside. On March 2, 2020, she reunited with her mother, father, stepfather and beloved son, Gene F. Bryan, who preceded her in death.

Laura is survived by her loving husband, Gene Bryan, two sisters, Ellen Overall Triplett of Detroit, MI; Patricia Paramore of Southfield, MI; one brother, Charles (Melissa) Overall of Seattle, WA, nieces Marchelle and Tanya; nephews Eric, Carlos, and Casa; loving cousin Lakita Arquita Thomas-Hawkins; and a host of other relatives and friends, including her devoted doctor, Maurice Gregory, M.D., and loving Nursing Staff.