Panola County Sheriff’s Office mourns former Sheriff Ida Margaret Bryan

The Panola County Sheriff’s Office expressed its prayers and sympathies for the family of Ida Margaret Bryan, known to many as “Ms Ida,” describing her as another icon gone. Bryan served as Panola County sheriff in April 2005 after her husband, David Bryan, died in office.

Bryan had been by her husband’s side since his election as sheriff in 1976. At that time, the sheriff’s living quarters, Sheriff’s Office and jail were housed in one building on what is now the back parking lot of the Batesville Courthouse. The jail consisted of several cells, and Bryan cooked for and fed the prisoners during meal times.

She was appointed sheriff in April 2005 to fill the vacancy until a special election in November could be held. The late Hugh “Shot” Bright won that election and was later elected again in the next general election.

Bryan later worked for many years as the Victim-Witness Coordinator for the District Attorney’s Office before retiring. The Sheriff’s Office said she carried herself with dignity and class and affectionately called its deputies “her boys.”

Source: Original Article