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MABEL BRYANT LEYDA Mabel Bryant Leyda, of San Antonio, Texas, went to be with her Heavenly Father on November21, 2008. Mabel Bryant was born in San Antonio, Texas, on January 18, 1923, to Sam Jones Bryant and Mabel Fore Bryant. She learned to play the piano as a child and, at the age of fourteen, began accompanying vocalists on live local radio. She graduated from Brackenridge High School in1940. She married Lieutenant Richard C. Leyda on April 8, 1944 at Travis Park Methodist Church. They lived for a short time in Buffalo, New York, and returned to San Antonio in 1953. She served as PTA president of Lockhill Elementary where her four children attended. In 1974, she and Richard moved to Beaumont, Texas, where she was the librarian of the Tyrrel1 Historical Library for nine years and specialized in genealogical research. On retirement, Richard and Mabel returned to San Antonio and became active in volunteer programs, their church, and patriotic organizations. As a longtime active member of the San Antonio Conservation Society , Mabel enjoyed guiding Heritage Education Tours. She also volunteered as a docent for the Institute of Texas Cultures, leading tours and traveling to local schools as a part of the Outreach Program. As a member of the Alamo Mission Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, she sponsored the chapter's organization, the Children of the Republic of Texas and held several offices. Mabel was selected as Texas Grandmother of the Year in 1990 at the Children of the Republic of Texas state convention. She was a committed member both of the Daughters of the American Revolution, '01 Shavano Chapter, and the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Albert Sidney Johnston Chapter. For a time, she participated as member of the Tuesday Musical Club, San Antonio Woman's Club and State Asssociation of Texas Pioneers. As a member of the University Baptist Church, she taught a number of young women's Bible studies. She enjoyed music, traveling, reading, and studying Scripture. She also liked hiking trails of Texas state parks, being close to nature and observing animal life. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of sixty -four years, USAF Ret. Colonel Richard C. Leyda. She was preceded in death by two of her children, Nancy Kathryn Leyda Heavin and David Charles Leyda. She is survived by a son, Dr. Richard James Leyda and his wife, Ellen Martin Leyda of La Canada, California; a daughter, Elizabeth Ann Leyda Sherrod and her husband, James Sherrod of San Antonio; three granddaughters, Jennifer Marie Sherrod DeAngelis of Hamilton, New York, and her husband Christopher DeAngelis, Laura Elizabeth and Lisa Marie Leyda of La Canada, California, and great-granddaughter Madison Elizabeth DeAngelis of Hamilton, New York. The family is especially grateful to doctors and nurses at Wilford Hall Medical Center for the excellent care they gave her over the years, and for the prayers and loving support of her relatives and fellow Christians, including her loyal church family, all of whom enabled her to live a longer and happy life. They would also like to acknowledge the recent caring support of the staff of Christus VNA Hospice. Mabel delighted in telling others about the Lord Jesus Christ and what He had done in her life so that they might know the same joy she experienced. Her greatest desire was to glorify Him with her whole life. Services Visitation will begin Monday, November 24, 2008 at 6:00 pm at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North. The Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 10:00 am at University Baptist Church, 6465 Babcock Road in San Antonio, with Rev. Randy Bales and Dr .Richard Leyda officiating with interment to follow at Mission Burial Park North.

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Mabel Bryant Leyda

January 18, 1923 - November 21, 2008