James William Bryant, 98, of Florala, passed away peacefully at the Florala Memorial Hospital on March 18, 2010.
James William Bryant was born the first son to the late Ida (Lloyd) and the late James Bryant in Florala on Feb. 9, 1912. Deacon Bryant was a faithful member of the Sixth Avenue Missionary Baptist Church where he served in various capacities including church treasurer, Sunday school teacher, Bible study leader and janitor. He served in World War II as a fireman first class in the U.S. Navy. For many years, he was Florala’s ace automobile mechanic. He also worked in construction at the Eglin Air Force Base.
Deacon Bryant enjoyed Bible study and gardening. Even when he could no longer walk well, one could see him in his garden on his walker tending his garden. He raised hogs and chickens and was a generous man who fed many hungry children back when times were hard. Deacon Bryant was loved by his community and was an inspiration to all.
Others who preceded him in death were his brother, J.C. Bryant; sisters, Ruth Horn and Naomi Ward; his first wife, Susie Green, and their daughter, Dorothy Jean Edwards; his second wife, Thera Frances Haynes, and their children, Frances Louise Jackson, Henry Haynes, Fredrick Haynes, and Mary Nell Williams.
He leaves to cherish his memory his children by Thera Frances Bryant: James (Mary Jane) F. Bryant, Hazel Lee, Jenny (Robert) Lynn and Sylvia Diane Tyler; his grandchildren: Susie (Gill) Gilliam, Edward (Emma Grace) Jackson, Cedric (Denise) Williams, Cicely Williams, Marjorie (Anthony) Jackson, Gregory (Maya) Lynn, Nicole Stewart and Tyoka Curry; his nieces and nephews, Andrew Horn, Clifford (Salina) Horn Jr., Ida Ruth Johnson, Martha (David) Hughes, Ray (Lorena) Bryant and Roy Lee Johnson; his first cousins, Clarence Tyson of Opp, Alice Faithe Freeny of Dozier, Mary Alice Williams Hooks and J.L. Williams of Elba; his special daughters Laura Mallory, Bobbie Bryant and Mary Frances Cyrus; his special son, Marvin Bryant Jr. who tended kindly to him daily; his barber and long time friend, Edward Wilson; his helpful neighbors, Bernard and Evelyn Anthony and James and Ida Murphy; a host of great-grandchildren, and other family and friends.
Funeral services will be held Sat., March 27, at 11 a.m. at the Sixth Avenue Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Ernest L. Powell officiating and Hammond Funeral Home directing. Interment will immediately follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Florala.
Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the church.
May his soul rest in peace.