1 State of Arkansas
2 94th General Assembly
3 Second Extraordinary Session, 2024 SR 4
4
5 By: Senators J. Payton, J. Boyd, Irvin, D. Sullivan
6
7 SENATE RESOLUTION
8 TO HONOR THE LIVES AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF DR. JOSEPH
9 STEVE BRYANT AND HIS WIFE, MRS. SHARON GAYE COLLATT
10 BRYANT.
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13 Subtitle
14 TO HONOR THE LIVES AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF
15 DR. JOSEPH STEVE BRYANT AND HIS WIFE,
16 MRS. SHARON GAYE COLLATT BRYANT.
17
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19 WHEREAS, the Batesville community is mourning the unexpected passing of
20 prominent businessman Dr. Joseph Steve Bryant, who went by Steve, and his
21 wife, Sharon Gaye Collatt Bryant, on May 12, 2024; and
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23 WHEREAS, Dr. Steve Bryant owned multiple pharmacies throughout the
24 state, including his hometown pharmacy, Bryant's Pharmacy & Health Care
25 Center which he owned for nearly forty (40) years; and
26
27 WHEREAS, in addition to his pharmacies and home healthcare businesses,
28 Dr. Steve Bryant strived to improve patient care through his work with
29 community hospitals and by serving as a member of the Board of Directors for
30 White River Health Systems Incorporated; and
31
32 WHEREAS, Dr. Steve Bryant:
33 (1) Enjoyed a successful career as a pharmacist;
34 (2) Served on the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy;
35 (3) Received the APA Pharmacist of the Year award in 2007;
36 (4) Received the UAMS College of Pharmacy Dean's award; and
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1 (5) Most recently, was posthumously awarded the Bowl of Hygeia
2 by his colleagues at the Arkansas Pharmacists Association, recognizing him as
3 a pharmacist who possessed an outstanding record of civic leadership in his
4 community; and
5
6 WHEREAS, the Bryants earned their respective bachelor's degrees from
7 Arkansas State University:
8 (1) Dr. Steve Bryant with a degree in business with a minor in
9 pre-pharmacy; and
10 (2) Sharon Gaye Collatt Bryant with a degree in mathematics and
11 a minor in English; and
12
13 WHEREAS, prior to graduating pharmacy school in 1975, Dr. Steve Bryant
14 lettered as a defensive end at Arkansas State University and was part of the
15 1970 squad that went undefeated with an 11-0 record, including a 28-1 victory
16 over Central Missouri in the Pecan Bowl, on its way to the small college
17 division national championship; and
18
19 WHEREAS, the Bryants were die hard Red Wolves fans and devoted
20 supporters and ambassadors for Arkansas State University; and
21
22 WHEREAS, the Bryants endowed the Steve and Sharon Pre-Med Scholarship
23 starting in 2017, further cementing their support and admiration for Arkansas
24 State University; and
25
26 WHEREAS, the Bryants were longtime season-ticket holders and generous
27 donors to Arkansas State University athletics; and
28
29 WHEREAS, the head football coach's suite was named in honor of the
30 Bryant family and the couple's names are attached to one (1) of the current
31 Arkansas State University football lockers; and
32
33 WHEREAS, the Bryants were married in 1973 and had two daughters,
34 Mallory Burton and Monica Bryant; and
35
36 WHEREAS, Sharon Gaye Collatt Bryant's children and grandchildren meant
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1 the world to her and she would regularly travel to spend time with them; and
2
3 WHEREAS, the Bryants were highly respected members of the Batesville
4 community and cherished members of the Arkansas State University family; and
5
6 WHEREAS, the Bryants were generous with their time and expertise and
7 are leaving a legacy of devotion to their community,
8
9 NOW THEREFORE,
10 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE
11 STATE OF ARKANSAS:
12
13 THAT the Senate express sincere condolences to the family of Dr. Steve
14 Bryant and Sharon Gaye Collatt Bryant and commend their contributions to the
15 State of Arkansas.
16
17 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT upon adoption, a copy of this resolution shall be
18 provided to the family of Dr. Steve Bryant and Sharon Gaye Collatt Bryant by
19 the Secretary of the Senate.
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