GREENVILLE – Connie Jean Spears Bryan, 67, of Greenville, passed away on Monday, December 2, 2013 after an 18-month battle with autoimmune encephalitis. She was born September 3, 1946. She was a member of Temple Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Madge Spears; two brothers, Timmy and Terry Spears; and son, John Bryan. Connie met the love of her life and husband of fifty years, Larry, at a young age and they married on July 9, 1963. Not long after, they began a family. While she did not attend college, she could have easily earned a doctorate in the art of mothering. According to www.dictionary.com, mothering is “to bring up a child/person with care and affection.” She not only mothered her eight children and her many grandchildren, but she also mothered all she encountered. She had an innate ability to make everyone around her feel loved and appreciated – from her own children to the neighborhood kids to the band students, and the list goes on. She was the most altruistic person I know – always putting others needs before her own. Countless times, she would go without so that others needs could be met. Nothing brought her greater joy than helping someone and ensuring everyone’s happiness. She and Larry loved helping charitable organizations such as the Food Pantry, Alzheimer’s Association, St. Jude’s, and countless others. She was always guilty of hoarding “useless items” (to us, at least), but often times those useless items were exactly what someone needed. She is the only person we know who could make nearly anything out of nothing. Need a poodle skirt for Decade Day with only 12 hours notice? You go it. Need an Elvira costume for a Halloween party tonight? Done. Being crafty was always one of her strengths. She could spend hours painting ceramics and drinking coffee. Give her some thread, material, and a sewing machine and she could make anything imaginable. Put her in the kitchen and watch her craftiness continue to amaze all in her presence. Her banana cake, chocolate pie, Alice Springs chicken, and baked ham could send you over the edge. Until this illness consumed her, there was nothing she couldn’t do and nothing that scared her (except being near large bodies of water and watching someone get her ears pierced). In fact, she faced open heart surgery for the first time in 2003. She approached it as though it was nothing more that a routine hair appointment. Her rationale? There’s nothing I can do about it so there’s no need in getting worked up over it.” She always approached everything in the same manner – by following her life’s mantras “Hakuna Matata”, “Don’t Worry; Be Happy”, “Smile and nod”, and “Just breathe”. These were more than mere song titles or phrases to our dear mother. Even through all the uncertainties of this mysterious illness, she maintained her calm optimism. Each time her neurologist shared the same apologetic, shrug-of-the-shoulders result of each test, Mom would tell him, “It’s okay. Even if you can’t fix me, maybe you’ll be able to help someone else one day because of what I’m going through.” Because of this, the family asks that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging (research center partnered with UK Medical Center Neurosciences Institute). Donations may be mailed to 800 South Limestone, Lexington, KY 40536-0230; or online donations may be made at www.centeronaging.uky.edu. Survivors include her best friend and husband of fifty years, Larry; seven children, Phyllis (Robin) Moore, Anna (Bruce) Taylor, Larry (Lisa) Bryan Jr., Eric Bryan, Amy (Jason) Clark, Christi (Matthew) Shores, and Ashley (Matt) Wright; fourteen grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; four sisters, Glyna (Paul) Wice, Dian (Donald) Randolph, Sandra Hatcher, and Peggy Ford; one brother, Ronnie (Joyce) Spears; several nieces and nephews; and countless other friends and family. What will we miss? Her smile. Her twinkling eyes. Her sense of humor. Her love of hot fudge. Her tickle scratches. Her laugh. But she will live on. With every act of kindness, her altruism will shine through. With every “Hootie-Hoo!”, her silliness will persevere. With every stressful situation, her advice – “Just breathe” – will resonate. She was and is the wind beneath our wings. Funeral services will be Thursday, December 5, 2013 at 11:00AM at Tucker Funeral Home in Central City, with Rev. Curtis McGehee officiating, assisted by Rev. Adam Brown. Burial in Coleman Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5-8PM and Thursday after 8:00AM at the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.tuckerfuneralhomes.com.