Mrs. Elmer Larry, 100 , of Beaumont, Texas passed away on Monday, April 17, 2023 in Beaumont, Texas.

Celebration Service for Mrs. Larry will be at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Mercy Funeral Home Chapel located at 1395 Gladys Street in Beaumont, Texas 77701. A public viewing for Mrs. Larry, will be held on Friday, April 21, 2023, from 12:00 Noon until 5:00 p.m., at Mercy Funeral Home Chapel, and visitation on Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 9:00 a.m.until 12:00 Noon at Mercy Funeral Home Chapel with burial service to follow at Anthony Cemetery in Beaumont, Texas, under the direction of Mercy Funeral Home in Beaumont, Texas.

A Beautiful Journey

Elmer D. Ryals Larry, the youngest of ten children was born to Warren Ryals and Eliza Jane Collier Ryals on August 12, 1922, in Call Texas, Newton County. Affectionately known as "Lady," "Auntie," "Aunt Lady," "Pat," Mother," "Grandma," "Na-Na," and "GiGi, were all the names she was given by family.

The family eventually moved to Beaumont, Texas when Elmer was a young child. With the blessing of being reared in a family of faith and Christianity, her spiritual life began at Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Beaumont, Texas, where she was baptized. She was also a faithful member of St. John Baptist Church in Decatur, Texas. After moving back to Beaumont, she united with St. James United Methodist Church.

Elmer went on to complete her primary and secondary education at Little Martin and Big Martin public schools in Beaumont, Texas. She became a licensed beautician, and then decided she wanted to be a nurse. The first encounter with actual nursing at a hospital, she witnessed a procedure that made her faint, and that was the end of nursing. She later pursued other careers.

Lonnie Larry, Jr. was the love of her life. They married and she moved to Decatur, Texas, his hometown. Not having children of her own, she happily accepted Lonnie's teenage daughter, Cynthia. Cynthia fondly referred to her as "Mother." She and Lonnie welcomed their grandson, Kevin Johnson, into their home and he became the baby she never had, rearing him to adulthood.

Her leisure time was spent shopping for beautiful clothes, watching lots of sports and attending games. The "Dallas Cowboys" were her favorite team. She was the most generous daughter, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt. Being with family and friends kept her young and active until her 99 ^th year. Love for her family was unending. We will deeply miss her smile, fun loving spirit and all the love she shared.

She attained her greatest desire, and that was to make her 100th birthday.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Lonnie Larry Jr.; daughter, Cynthia Knight; sisters, Juanita Rittenhouse, Willie Mae Scott, Stella Stevenson, Majesta Ryals, and Annie Harden. Brothers, Leon Ryals, Leo Ryals, Booker T. Ryals, and George W. Ryals.

Cherishing her memory are grandson, Kevin Johnson (Donna); granddaughter Andrea Stewart (Lawrence, Sr.); great-grandchildren, Zachary Johnson (Betty) Raegan Johnson, Jaiden Johnson (Tavian Walters); Lawrence Stewart, Jr., Andrea Stewart, Lariah Stewart, and Alexandra Stewart, great-great grandchildren, Jahdai Stewart, Willow Johnson and Maverick Johnson, Kobi Walters; niece caregivers Carolyn Harden Simon (Lynn) and Melva (Doll) Harden Isaac (Richard); nieces, Sharon (Poopie) Amevuvor (Kwashi), Mona Williams (Eddie), Brenda O'neal, Toni Johnson, Terri Wilcox, Martha Ann Ryals, Rosa Pearl Roades, and Brigette Johnson. Nephews, Michael Ryals (Linda), George Wayne Ryals, and Don Alfred Ryals (Joy) and numerous great and great-grand nieces and nephews.