of Harrison, AR

March 23, 2017 - November 5, 2023

Bryant Ed Kuhns, age 6, of Harrison returned to his heavenly home on November 5, 2023, surrounded by his family. He was born on March 23, 2017 in Aztec, New Mexico to David and Anna-Mary (Lehman) Kuhns.

Bryant was intelligent, loved to read and be read to, and was especially fond of the books "Jasper's Secret" and the "Manners Are Homemade" series. He enjoyed going to the park and fishing in Crooked Creek for anything that would bite. He was an animal lover and cared for his two hamsters, turtle, puppy and kittens. He liked to do science experiments with his siblings as well.

He is survived by his grieving family, his parents, David and Anna-Mary; his sisters, Alice, Mariana and Janicia and his brothers, Davon, J. Martin and Tyler.

He was preceded in death by his cousins, Melinda Wenger and Jenni Kuhns and his uncle, Lyndon Lehman.


Visitation was on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at Cornerstone Mennonite Church.

The funeral service was on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at Northside Church of Christ, with Leonard Mast officiating.

The interment was at Maple Leaf Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Davon Kuhns, J. Martin Kuhns, Jamie Yoder, Alex Yoder, Landon Lehman and Sam Kuhns.



OFTEN WEARY AND WORN

Often weary and worn on the pathway below,
When the burden is heavy, my heart throbs with woe;
Oh, there comes a sweet whisper to quell every sigh,
"Do not faint 'neath the load, there is rest by and by."

You will not labor long for the Master below,
Soon his call you will hear, your free spirit shall go
To the light of his presence in mansions on high,
Where the faithful repose, there is rest by and by. (Refrain)

Then, dear Saviour, I would not in sadness repine,
Nor would here on a bed of sweet roses recline;
For a country I seek where they nevermore die,
And in Zion my home, there is rest by and by.

"There is rest by and by,"
In the beautiful city, there is rest by and by.
Where the ransomed shall live with the Saviour on high,
In the beautiful city, there is rest by and by.




BRYANT'S HEALTH JOURNEY:


March 2022
Bryant became sick with the flu. He tended to have a hard time fighting off sickness, but this time he spiraled down into what we learned was an adrenal crisis. His body was unable to maintain hydration, blood pressure and blood sugar levels. We almost lost Bryant, but the ambulance arrived just in time.
During his five-day stay at the hospital, we learned that Bryant had a life-limiting genetic condition called Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD). Bryant was sent home from the hospital with steroid pills to take three times daily to support his adrenal gland that had been attacked by the disease. Bryant loved stuffed animals before the hospital stay, but after that, he spent even more time with them.

May 2022
A brain MRI showed concerning results. This was a surprise to us since we were seeing no outward evidence. The Doctors' recommendation us to come back in six months or sooner if we saw any change for another MRI. Our family was busy with remodeling and moving into our new home. Bryant loved to go along with Dave to help and to play with his friend Deklan.

November 2022
A week before his second MRI on the 4th, we noticed some peculiarities with his left arm. At the actual MRI appointment, we noticed that one side of his smile drooped. The neurologist thought he detected the slightest affect when Bryant walked. That evening, Bryant commented that his left arm was "floppy."
On the 20th, we had an anointing service for Bryant in which we committed our precious son into God's hands. Bryant's decline was somewhat subtle for a while.

December 2022
Bryant lost the use of his left arm, and he walked with a pronounced limp.

May 2023
A reading schedule was set up for ladies to come six days a week to read to Bryant, which was a real highlight for him and the family.

June 2023
We got two hamsters for him. As long as he could, he would stand there and watch and play with them. He thoroughly enjoyed them.

July 2023
We took a twelve-day family trip East. A few days after the trip Bryant experienced a fall, hitting his head on concrete. In the days that followed, he began with the whooping cough. Following the fall and cough, his decline increased with significant changes each week.

August 2023
Summer Bible School was a highlight. He always came home bubbling with joy. This time a train of wagons were included for him and his classmate's transportation to class. He loved their theme song, which was a Bible Train.

September 2023
By the beginning of September, he became bedfast which was a great frustration to him. The most comfortable position was lying flat. One on one care was needed constantly. We filled his days with trips up to feed the neighbor's horses, going on stroller rides with the intent of being a scientist, reading stories to him, playing audio books for him, some schoolwork, video calls, reading by the ladies, Science experiments, games and also an outing to the Butterfly Palace which was a real highlight. By the middle of the month, he lost the ability to feed himself.

October 2023
Our family enjoyed our church campout. The pinata there was a big highlight to him. Mid-October talking and eating became a struggle. Spasms became more prominent as well. Bryant was admitted to in-home hospice care on the 20th. Bryant always loved his mom, but this month the need for his mom's presence became all encompassing.

November 2023
We had our last week with Bryant. He was quite weak but still enjoyed us reading to him for short periods. Nature stroller rides were the main thing that comforted him. Bryant was no longer able to talk and lost interest in eating and drinking. Monday evening, we sang the bible train song. Bryant was still able to help a bit and enjoyed it so much. Our nurse friends, Dinah Shenk and Brenda Deim came almost every day that week to support and help with Bryant's care until, Sunday evening the fifth, he was in the perfect care of his Heavenly Father.

While our hearts are broken because Bryant has left us, we rejoice that he is experiencing heaven's perfection. His time with us was a gift we'll always treasure until we can join him with Jesus forever!

"He shall gather the lambs with His arm and carry them in His bosom" Is 40:11




MEANINGFUL SAYINGS OF BRYANT'S


January 2023
"Never stop believing that Jesus could come back before you go to bed."
At bath time one evening, he said, "God doesn't make any dirty people." Afterwards at a popcorn snack, he asked, "What kind of food will we eat in heaven?"

February 2023
"Soon we'll be with Jesus."
"When we get done praying, our words flutter up to God and Jesus' ears."
Dave was playing with Tyler and Bryant commented, "That was funny. Do you think God and Jesus laughed when they saw that? I think they did laugh a little."
"I wonder what kind of clothes we'll wear in heaven."
One day, when he was talking about being "sugar free", Bryant said, "God has a plan for my life."
"Did you know we might not go to bed? Because Jesus might come. It would be fun if we heard a knock, knock, knock on the door and we'd open the door, and Jesus would be there, and it would look a little white, and some angels would be with him."
"If Jesus or an angel holds our hand, we can go up the ladder "Jacobs ladder". If he doesn't hold our hand, we just stay on the ground.". "I might not turn six, because Jesus might come before my birthday party and all our plans would go to nothing."

April 2023
Bryant tried to go down the slide, and it didn't go very well. He told me when he came into the house, "I was about to go to heaven without you going with me, and without me telling you goodbye. I was going down the slide, and my arms and legs weren't going in the right direction, and I did not want to go to heaven without you or without telling you goodbye, then Mariana came to help me."

May 2023
Bryant's prayer one time was "help me to stay out of mischief."

October 2023
In the last weeks, Bryant commented over and over how God had answered his prayer and gave him a brother.
"When I get a new body, my left hand will work again, and my legs will work again." Later, "When I get a new body, I won't fall."

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