Mary Ann (Murphy) Eggerman

Formerly of Haines, 1944-2018

Mary Ann (Murphy) Eggerman, 74, of Grants Pass, and formerly of Haines, died Oct. 29, 2018, at Grants Pass.

Her graveside service will take place Saturday, May 18, at 1 p.m. at the Haines Cemetery.

Mary Ann was born on Sept. 19, 1944, at Boise to Marion Rush and Lawrence Murphy. In 1952 Mary Ann’s mother, Marion, married Marcel Delepierre and moved their blended family to Haines, where Mary Ann grew up with five siblings. Mary Ann attended Haines Grade School and St. Francis Academy in Baker, and she graduated in 1962.

She was a lifelong student of the college of hard knocks and handed down life lessons to her children, like how to change the oil in their cars, change a flat tire, chopping wood and cooking.

Mary Ann was the mother of five children: Becky Henderson (and Randy), Steven Henderson (and Lisa), Brenda Bates (and Kenny), Carolyn Henderson and Scott Henderson (and Susan). She was grandmother to eight and great-grandmother to nine, including “steps” because her family has more “steps” than the Washington Monument.

Her daughter, Brenda, called her “Miss Fixit” and “Hubbard” because there was no junk food in the cupboard. Her daughter, Becky, claims her mom was known for her secret meatloaf recipe. Her son, Scott, says his mom taught him mechanics and self-survival.

Throughout her life, Mary Ann’s passions included horses, music, sewing and riding motorcycles. She loved four-letter words as much as she loved her cats. She loved Halloween, science fiction and animals in general but was not fond of housework.

She was renowned for her lack of patience and she expressed it in an unfiltered way by not holding back her opinion. Mary Ann had a knack for telling it like it is. When her “Murphy” temper kicked in, you’d better run for the hills!

Mary Ann’s nieces lovingly referred to her as “Auntie MiMi” because they couldn’t pronounce Mary Ann when they were younger. They fondly remember her as a “wild and crazy, fun aunt” — their eccentric Auntie MiMi who always had pets. They looked forward to her annual birthday and Christmas cards that once opened scattered glitter all over.

In 1984, to get out of the snow, Mary Ann moved with her children and pets to Grants Pass, where she initially worked as a drug counselor. After her kids were raised she met Claude Eggerman and they were married on June 16, 1988, at Gold Hill. While living in the Rogue Valley she worked in several other careers. She moved from Grants Pass to Rogue River 16 years ago.

Claude and Mary Ann opened their home to delinquent teenage boys on probation. As foster parents they had 47 boys go through their home in just over four years. It was an interesting time in their lives.

Mary Ann volunteered for the Humane Society at the animal shelter. She was active in ministry through the Christian Motorcycle Association (CMA).

Her hobbies included crafts, calligraphy, rubber stamping, sewing, drawing and watercolor painting. She also enjoyed playing the organ at church and going on vacations.

After a stroke in 2002 resulting in left-sided paralysis, Mary Ann used a wheelchair. This didn’t stop her and she and Claude purchased a motorcycle with a sidecar and they toured the country for four years, as well as covering 15,000 miles in Oregon.

She is survived by her husband, Claude Eggerman of Rogue River; her five children: Becky Henderson, Steven Henderson and Carolyn Henderson, all of Salem, and Brenda Bates and Scott Henderson, both of Texas; and her younger sister, Carolyn.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her brothers, Larry Murphy in 2017 and Douglas Murphy in 2018.

‘Ginny’ Bryant

Baker City, 1926-2019

Virginia Viola “Ginny” Bryant, 92, of Baker City, died May 7, 2019, at St. Alphonsus Medical Center in Baker City.

There will be a viewing on Sunday, May 12, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Coles Tribute Center, 1950 Place St. Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday, May 13, at Coles Tribute Center. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery after the service.

Virginia was born on Oct. 10, 1926, at Baker City, to Joseph and Grace Yeakley Budd. She was raised by her grandparents, Ralph and Gladys Coyle Yeakley on their ranch at Bridgeport where she helped with haying and milking cows.

She attended school at Bridgeport and Hereford. She worked at a sawmill, box factory, Oregon Lumber Co., Crown Cleaners and was a cook for 17 years at Brooklyn Elementary and South Baker schools.

On May 10, 1986, Ginny married Richard M. Bryant at the Baker City Nazarene Church. She enjoyed interior decorating, landscaping, fishing, having lots of pretty flowers, and collecting rocks, dolls, and old-time dishes. She was a member of the Nazarene Church.

Survivors include her son, Larry Wright; daughter, Ginny Harrison; sisters, Theora, Evelyn and Theona; brother, Leslie; four step-daughters: Jackie, Kathie, Joella, and Beckie; grandchildren: Todd, Stephanie, Jodi and Seth; and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Grace; grandparents, Ralph and Gladys Yeakley; husband, Richard “Dick” Bryant; sister, Helen Alexander; and one great-grandchild.

Ginny loved her flowers so flowers are a fitting remembrance but, if one prefers, a memorial contribution may be made to the Nazarene Church Youth Group through Coles Tribute Center at 1950 Place Street, Baker City, OR 97814.

To light a candle in memory of Ginny, or to leave a condolence for the family, go to www.colestributecenter.com.