Lucy Gardner Bryant

BRYANT - Lucy Eugenia Gardner Bryant went to be with her God and Creator on April 15, 2011 at age 102. She passed away peacefully at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. She indicated many times that she was not afraid of the future away from the earthly turmoil, and often reiterated, ""I am ready."" Yet she said, ""God must be keeping me here for a reason."" That reason was to spread joy, wisdom and encouragement to her family and many friends. Ms. Lucy, one of eleven children, was born on April 2, 1909 to Jesse A. and Ella Frederick Gardner in Jamestown, North Carolina. Although she never attended college she was a strong believer in education and assured that her children received a good education. Ms Lucy however, walked the four or five miles one way each day from her home to Jamestown School so she could obtain her modest education. She was an active member of Ardmore United Methodist Church for over 60 years and was also a charter member of the local unit of the North Carolina Chapter of Eastern star. She was a lady of the outdoors and spent countless hours in her flower and vegetable gardens. No flower, shrub or tree was unimportant, but her favorite was roses and one often adorned her jacket on Sundays. Spring is a time for renewal and she was often found in her basement nurturing tomato and pepper plants from seeds. These became the basis for a thriving garden, much of the fruits of which she disseminated to family, neighbors, and other friends. When she was not busy in the garden, she was in the kitchen preparing delicious dishes from garden ""veggies"" and products purchased at local grocers: chow chow, sugar bread, cheese crisps, cookies, cakes and pies. However, having lived through the Great Depression, she visited every grocery store within a five mile radius of her house in order to get the best deals and save money. Baking was a specialty and her house was often perfumed with the smell of sourdough bread. She lived by herself until she was aged 101, cooking, sewing, gardening, and even cleaning her house. Having someone assist in cleaning seemed unthinkable to her. She continued to mow her lawn, walk three miles each day, and drive her car until the ripe old age of 98. She was a lady of countless skills and boundless knowledge. The sewing machine constantly hummed in her bedroom generating all kinds of precisely-completed clothes for dolls of all kinds, but especially Barbie Dolls. She often frequented Goodwill Stores and came away with countless dolls, all of which were to be dressed in an exquisite manner. She skillfully made many of her own clothes-pants, shirts, and jackets. One could not tell that they were not store-bought. One of her specialties was crocheting and she was a veritable expert at this craft. She made baby shoes by the hundreds, many of which she gave away to expectant parents. The rest she sold at the Crickets Nest Store on Country Club Road. She often said, ""Many people tried to copy my shoes but could not do it."" Her shoes were one of a kind and could not be copied. Ms. Lucy was not a rich person by monetary standards, but she was rich in spirit and love. After she could no longer adequately manage her own finances, she would admonish her son to make her church benevolences on time and make countless other donations to worthy causes of various kinds. Some of her favorite outings were always simple but seemingly unforgettable: picking strawberries for jams and preserves, that ride on the Parkway, the sojourn at Lake Lure, that fishing trip to the coast, and restaurant seafood on Friday nights-mundane but magical. She loved reading and traveling and kept books and papers piled around her easy chair. Whether the trips took her to the Holy Land, Hawaii, or somewhere within the confines of the U.S., she was always excited about the upcoming venture. In 1989 at age 80 she rode a mule down the 1,700 ft. open cliff trail on Molokai to the leper colony at Kalaupapa. At that time and perhaps still so, the oldest person ever to have done so. Ms. Lucy was a real trooper and will be greatly missed. The light of the world got a little dimmer on April 15, but surely Heaven must be much brighter. She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, George Robert Bryant. She is survived by her three children: Dr. Donald Wayne Bryant and wife Martha, of Clemmons, NC; Michael Alan Bryant and wife Johnnie, of Jamestown, NC; and Emily Karen Bryant Yelton and husband Don, of Shelby, NC. Ms. Lucy also has six grandchildren: Amy Bryant Templeton, Tiffany Lynn Bryant Osborne, Tyler Wayne Bryant, Lori Bryant Burbank, Todd Yelton and Allison Yelton; and six great grandchildren: Colby Conklin, Jackson Burbank, Campbell Burbank, Chas Osborne, Colston Bryant, and Carter Bryant Osborne. There have been many special people who assisted in caring for our mother these few months. We would like to mention the following groups: Wake Forest Health Center Hematology-Oncology, the Palliative Care Unit at the hospital, personnel at Salemtowne and at Bermuda Commons Rehabilitation Center, and people from Ardmore United Methodist Church. The family would also like to thank the people who helped take care of our Mom over these many years: Brookview Hills Internal Medicine and Duke Eye Center. Omissions were not intentional and hopefully will be forgiven. Memorials may be given to the church she so much loved: Ardmore United Methodist Church, 630 S. Hawthorne Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27103. Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. A funeral service will be held 2:00 PM, Monday, April 18, 2011 at Ardmore United Methodist Church with The Rev. Jock Ollis officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. God looked around His garden and found an empty place. He then looked down upon the earth and saw your tired face. He put His arms around you and lifted you to rest. God's garden must be beautiful, He always takes the best. He knew that you were suffering. He knew you were in pain. He knew that you would never get well on earth again. He saw the road was getting rough, and the hills were hard to climb. So He closed your weary eyelids and whispered, ""Peace be thine."" It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn't go alone. For part of us went with you, the day God called you home. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

Memorials:
Memorials may be given to the church she so much loved: Ardmore United Methodist Church, 630 S. Hawthorne Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27103. Hayworth

Cemetery:
Forsyth Memorial Park 3771 Yadkinville Road Winston-Salem, NC 27106 (map/driving directions)

Visitation:
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Ardmore United Methodist Church 630 S.Hawthorne Rd. Winston-Salem,, NC on April 18, 2011 (map/driving directions)

Service:
2:00 PM at Ardmore United Methodist Church 630 S.Hawthorne Rd. Winston-Salem,, NC on April 18, 2011 (map/driving directions)

Cemetery Details