Ruthanna Mary Bryant (nee Pannett), 75, of Cahokia, passed peacefully in her daughter’s embrace June 24, 2015, at the Columbia Rehabiliation and Health Center in Columbia.

She was born Dec. 7, 1939, in St. Louis, daughter of the late Roscoe F. and Ruthmary Pannett.

Mrs. Bryant was a graduate of East St. Louis High School and received her bachelor’s degree in special education from Illinois State University. She taught special education to deaf and trainable mentally handicapped students in the Cahokia School District #187 for more than 30 years.

Upon retirement, she ran Jerome Place Bed and Breakfast in her home.  She was an active member of Radiance for Spiritual Living in Belleville, as well as the Collinsville Christian Women’s Club.

Ruthanna was a loving, giving woman, who frequently took people and animals into her home and cared for them without asking anything in return. She loved to give. She was intelligent and organized and mentally alert and clear up until her very last days.

She is survived by her daughter, Angela Bryant Mali of Columbia; nieces Michele Manoli and Tammy Pannet, both of St. Louis; and nephews Robert Pannett of Florida and David Pannett of New York.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Robert F. and Charles A. Pannett, and son Richard Scott Bryant.

Visitation and a celebration of life service were June 30 and July 1, at Braun Family Funeral Home, Columbia.

Interment followed at Valhalla Cemetery, Belleville.

Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Monroe County or the Gerson Institute at gerson.org/gerpress/donate.