Mrs. Norma Jean Franks Bryant, 77 of Texarkana, TX passed away peacefully Wednesday November 19, 2008, at the Heritage Plaza Nursing Center in Texarkana, Texas. She was born May 27, 1931 in Hope, AR to Clifford and Kathryn Tarpley Franks. She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her brother, Charles Clifford Franks of Russsellville, cousin Charlotte Tarpley Leslie and husband, Kenneth, Texarkana, TX, two nieces: Sheila Phillips and Kathryn Franks (Joe Moore) all of Russellville, three nephews: David Franks (Katherine Murdock) of Wichita, KS, Steve Franks (Elizabeth) of Russellville and Lee Franks (Andrea) of Maryville, TN; eleven grand-nephews, three grand-nieces; two great-grand-nephews; three second cousins and two third cousins. Mrs. Bryant was a lifelong educator. After earning her bachelor's degree from Henderson State Teachers College, she was an elementary school teacher in Texarkana. After completing her master's degree at Henderson she worked there as director of the Remedial Reading Program. She later directed the Student Teacher's Program for elementary education majors until her retirement in 1988. She was a member and former national officer of Phi Delta Kappa and a member of First United Methodist Church of Texarkana. The family is deeply grateful to cousins Charlotte Leslie and her daughter Leta Carter for their care during Mrs. Bryant's latter years. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be sent to First United Methodist Church of Texarkana 400 East 6th Street Texarkana, AR 71854. Her body was cremated. A graveside service will be held at a later date. Arrangements by BRAZZEL/Oakcrest Funeral Home, Hope, Arkansas.