Bethel “Sally” Smith Bryant, age 98 of Miles City, passed away on December 14, 2024 in Miles City.
Bethel was born to William A. and Wilda E. Smith on July 27, 1926, in rural Granville, North Dakota at her Grandmother’s house. She was the first of six siblings. Bethel was raised in areas around Biddle, MT. In 1943, at seventeen, her parents moved to Rosebud, MT, where she graduated from high school in 1945 and moved to Billings for Normal School, now known as MSUB. She taught school a few years before she married Bill Bryant at the Presbyterian church in Miles City. They had met four years prior at a neighbor’s card party. To this union, three children were born.
Bethel was an angel in disguise, sacrificing her own needs when it came to healthcare for her three children with cystic fibrosis and her husband who had diabetes for 45 years. She will be remembered for her kind, caring and gentle spirit. She left behind her handiwork of crocheting to her siblings.
Bethel and Bill moved numerous times during their marriage, working for Jack Elmore, who was manager of the 71 Ranch, owned by HL Hunt. They later moved to the Ball Ranch on Tongue River which was also owned by HL Hunt and were there for 13½ years. While on the Ball Ranch and other ranches, Bethel was always baking and cooking homemade meals for “herds” of hired men while wearing her high heel shoes. She was also available to help wherever needed outside on the ranch along with many trips to Miles City with the children for doctor treatments. They later went into partnership with R D Shipley on the Teepee ranch. They worked for Bill Nefsey at Sonnett and also on the S H Ranch and a ranch north of Terry, coming back to Miles City in 1968.
After taking a course to become managers of a motel/café combination and taking the final test in Denver, they came home to Miles City and ran the 10 Spot café for 12 years. They made numerous trips to the Denver Children’s Hospital with their children for doctoring. They also made many trips to Iowa to pull trailers back from the factory to dealers in Montana.
Bill and Bethel moved to Terry in 1982 and bought the Kempton Hotel and apartments, returning to Miles City in 1988. They owned an apartment house in Miles City for six years before retiring because of Bill’s health.
Bethel was preceded in death by her husband Bill Bryant; her three children, Linda Marlene, Stanley Joe and Darin Darrel; her parents Bill and Wilda Smith; and brother Billy Joe Smith. Bethel is survived by her siblings Glenn (Cecelia) Smith, Roscoe, MT; Jiniece Kaminski, Miles City, MT; Francis “Butch” (Cathe) Smith, Miles City, MT; Merna Gess, Billings, MT; sister-in-law Helen Bryant of Canada; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Cremation has taken place and the cremains will be inurned at the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City with a graveside service for Bethel and her husband Bill in the summer of 2025. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Eileen Entzel says
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. We always enjoyed visiting with her. She was a special lady.
Margie L. Cristofaro says
Never knew better people than Bill and Bethel. Whenever I think that I have a big problem, I think of them and all the challenges they overcame. Always fun, always hospitable, always salt of the earth, always good. What a family Christmas they are celebrating this year – forever! RIP, dear Bethel.
Arlene Gieser says
I am so sorry for your loss. I rented from these wonderful people. They always checked on me.
Peggy and levi smutt says
Sorry for your loss she was a nice lady she will be missed
Mary Ann Murray says
I remember her well when they ran the 10 Spot Cafe. They made the best hamburger and she and Bill were always so nice and friendly. Condolences to her family. She is fondly remembered.
Jim and Annalise Willson says
We are so sorry to hear about Bethel. I will always remember them as very friendly out going people. We always like to stop at the Ten Spot Cafe’ and visit with Bill and Bethel. Their meals were always just like home cooked meals. They were such great friends. REST IN PEACE BETHEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jim and Annalise Willson
Linda Seleg Wyse says
So sorry to hear of Bethel’s (Sally) passing. I lived with Bill and Bethel during my college years at MCC they both where wonderful people. She will be missed by many. Thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Martha Crandall says
I worked with Bethel at the Interstate Cafe. My sympathy.
Sheila Rickett says
So sorry for your loss. She was a wonderful person. My mom watched Darin when he was a baby. I worked at the Eagles Manor with her. She taught me a lot about cooking. She will be missed
L Smith says
Sally I will miss you dearly, I will always remember and cherish tha visits every time I came to town whether it be at the 10 spot cafe, terry, or the ice- cream truck. They will all be memories of mine, and there’s no others I would rather have. Thanks for all the stories and great times. Love you.
Bill and Sandy Jensen says
We have fond memories of the great food at the Ten Spot. Bill and Bethel were great hosting their customers and providing the best food. Nothing better than a hot roast beef sandwich at the Ten Spot. All the family are in our thoughts and prayers💐
Richard and LInda (Stevens) Meidinger says
Our condolances to the Bryant family. Remember going to the 10 Spot for coffee and meals alot and Remembering it to be a busy fun place to go. May Bethel rest in peace. Your all in our thoughts and prayers.
Destiny Carlson says
My dear friends Billy & Bethel. As their waitress for many breakfasts & lunches at Gallagher’s-we became pretty close. Their kind souls and positive words were heartfelt. They survived so much together and kept pushing thru. The two of them will always hold a special place in my heart.
Linda Winkley says
I worked for Bill and Bethyl and in 1979 took over the 10 Spot. She will be missed! Sorry for your loss, Butch and Cathie.
Ray and Terri Schmidt says
We were so sorry to learn of Bethel’s passing. Bethel was such a beautiful soul. She worked for us years ago and was such a great employee. She will be so missed.
Kyle & Gail Shaw says
Dear Family, Bill and Bethel were a part of my life from the time I was small as we lived on the Tongue River. They were great neighbors and good friends. After they moved to Miles City in later years and had the apartment building, our youngest daughter rented from them. The Bryant’s were wonderful in keeping track of her and making sure she was safe and happy. They were the best.
Shawna Rothaus says
Dearest Family,
I’m so very sorry to hear of Sally passing. Growing up I always thought of Sally and Bill as some of the kindest people around, even through all of the challenges that they faced. They were always sincerely interested in what was happening in the lives of those in our family and loved going to family events to see everyone. Their family is together again.♥️
Lon and Vicki Reukauf says
Our family had many interactions with Bill and Bethel over the years and they were always considerate honest with an occasional chuckle thrown in. When I think of their struggles it reminds me of the patience of Job in the bible. I pray that their hereafter is joyful and plentiful .