Max Lee O’Bryant, age 73 of Hope, Arkansas, passed away on Friday, October 2, 2026, in Little Rock, surrounded by his family. He was born on March 20, 1953, in Nashville, Arkansas, the son of the late Mack Herbert O’Bryant and Pauline O’Bryant Garney.
Max was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Hope. He grew up in Nashville and graduated from Nashville High School in 1971. On July 9, 1971, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Susan Tomlinson O’Bryant. They built a life together and raised their two children, Jessica and Bradley. After grandchildren came along, however, they became the light of his eye. He loved being “Grandpa.”
By trade, he was an electrician. He was privileged to have been able to work in several different states within the United States, as well as abroad in Ghana, Nigeria, and Australia. After Max and Susan purchased their farm near Hope, he enjoyed the life of a farmer, as well. He spent countless hours with their cattle and in the pullet poultry houses.
Max was quite a storyteller. He loved to reminisce and tell of years past and, although many of his stories had been told before, they somehow were never told the same way twice. Whether it was life lessons, farming, hunting, or training future electricians, Max loved to teach and pass on whatever he could.
In addition to his parents, Max was preceded in death by his stepfather, Bill Garney, and his brother, Pat O’Bryant.
Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 55 years, Susan O’Bryant; his daughter and son-in-law, Jessica Naramore and Jamie; his son, Bradley O’Bryant; his brother, Billy Bob Garney; his sister and brother-in-law, Kim Raulerson and Danny; his sister-in-law, Sue O’Bryant; five grandchildren, Sam, Lottie, Livian, and Madeleine Naramore and Bradley Todd O’Bryant; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until the service begins on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at First Baptist Church in Hope.
A funeral service for Mr. O’Bryant will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7 at First Baptist Church in Hope. Interment will follow at Antioch Cemetery near Nashville, under the direction of Latimer Funeral Home of Nashville.
You may send an online sympathy message at www.latimerfuneralhome.com