Obituary for Eloise Brandt Bryant
Eloise B. Bryant completed her 94 year journey back home to her Lord and Savior on January 22, 2021.
Preceding her in that journey were her husband of 70 years, Harvey L. Bryant, Jr.; her parents, and her sister, Elinor Heitzman. She is survived by her sister, Mary Ann Taylor (Rex) TX; son, Harvey L. Bryant, III (Donna); daughters, Kathryn Lester, TN, Pamela Damas (Russ) OH; son, Brandt Bryant (Terri Reid) NC; and nine grandchildren, Laura Myer (Matt) WA, Jennifer Hagewood (Stephen) VA, Mark Ainsley (Katie) FL, Leslie Russell, TN, Clay Russell, TN, Matthew Ainsley (Kasey) FL, Graham Bryant (Christina) GA, Travis Bryant (Nicolette) VA, Jeremy Bryant, VA. and 19 great-grandchildren.
Born in Perry, KS, Eloise lived many places in the United States as her family moved often in the bridge construction industry. One of those moves was to Hampton, VA, where she graduated from High school in 1944 and met her future husband.
A committed, active Christian, she taught and mentored children, teens and adults in several churches in South Hampton Roads, including Cradock Baptist and Jackson Memorial in Portsmouth and lastly at Kempsville Baptist in Virginia Beach. She served on the executive council of the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia and represented Virginia for several years as a trustee for the Southern Baptist Convention International Mission Board, employing her passion and love for the spiritually lost around the world.
She enjoyed the beach and often drove her children and their Cradock friends to Ocean View to swim and enjoy the amusement park. She excitedly rode the roller coaster and later in life enjoyed snowmobiling in Wyoming and parasailing on her 70th and 80th birthdays. She was often a “room mother” at her children’s schools and for two decades was a faithful supporter of the Cradock-Deep Creek Little League when her sons played, and her husband coached and umpired. She looked forward to family time at her sister-in-law’s cottage in Kitty Hawk, NC, fishing from pier and surf.
She enjoyed cruising the Caribbean and Alaska, and trips to Israel, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Hawaii and many places in the US. For many years she worked the polls for Republicans in local, state and national elections. She worked different jobs from time to time, but enjoyed most her time at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth
She liked playing the piano and encouraged (cajoled) her children to do so, requiring practice either before leaving for school or before going out to play.
Her children are grateful for the wonderful care she received over the last five years at Marian Manor and Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Virginia Beach.
Her home-going celebration will be private, family only, but available in a real time webcast at www.grahamfuneralhome.com at 2:00 pm, Friday, January 29, 2021.
In her memory and honor contributions may be made to the Lottie Moon mission fund at Kempsville Baptist, 5204 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach, VA. 23462.
Preceding her in that journey were her husband of 70 years, Harvey L. Bryant, Jr.; her parents, and her sister, Elinor Heitzman. She is survived by her sister, Mary Ann Taylor (Rex) TX; son, Harvey L. Bryant, III (Donna); daughters, Kathryn Lester, TN, Pamela Damas (Russ) OH; son, Brandt Bryant (Terri Reid) NC; and nine grandchildren, Laura Myer (Matt) WA, Jennifer Hagewood (Stephen) VA, Mark Ainsley (Katie) FL, Leslie Russell, TN, Clay Russell, TN, Matthew Ainsley (Kasey) FL, Graham Bryant (Christina) GA, Travis Bryant (Nicolette) VA, Jeremy Bryant, VA. and 19 great-grandchildren.
Born in Perry, KS, Eloise lived many places in the United States as her family moved often in the bridge construction industry. One of those moves was to Hampton, VA, where she graduated from High school in 1944 and met her future husband.
A committed, active Christian, she taught and mentored children, teens and adults in several churches in South Hampton Roads, including Cradock Baptist and Jackson Memorial in Portsmouth and lastly at Kempsville Baptist in Virginia Beach. She served on the executive council of the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia and represented Virginia for several years as a trustee for the Southern Baptist Convention International Mission Board, employing her passion and love for the spiritually lost around the world.
She enjoyed the beach and often drove her children and their Cradock friends to Ocean View to swim and enjoy the amusement park. She excitedly rode the roller coaster and later in life enjoyed snowmobiling in Wyoming and parasailing on her 70th and 80th birthdays. She was often a “room mother” at her children’s schools and for two decades was a faithful supporter of the Cradock-Deep Creek Little League when her sons played, and her husband coached and umpired. She looked forward to family time at her sister-in-law’s cottage in Kitty Hawk, NC, fishing from pier and surf.
She enjoyed cruising the Caribbean and Alaska, and trips to Israel, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Hawaii and many places in the US. For many years she worked the polls for Republicans in local, state and national elections. She worked different jobs from time to time, but enjoyed most her time at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth
She liked playing the piano and encouraged (cajoled) her children to do so, requiring practice either before leaving for school or before going out to play.
Her children are grateful for the wonderful care she received over the last five years at Marian Manor and Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Virginia Beach.
Her home-going celebration will be private, family only, but available in a real time webcast at www.grahamfuneralhome.com at 2:00 pm, Friday, January 29, 2021.
In her memory and honor contributions may be made to the Lottie Moon mission fund at Kempsville Baptist, 5204 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach, VA. 23462.