Robert L. Bryant, Jr was born on July 5, 1940 in Americus, Georgia to the parentage of the late Robert Louis Bryant, Sr. and Margaret Bryant (Humber) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the first born of 4 children and the only son. Preceding him in passing are sisters, Mary E. Bryant-Cook and Brenda L. Bryant-Jenkins; and brothers-in-law, William Jenkins and James Steele.
He was educated in the Aliquippa School District where he played in the marching and concert bands before graduating from Aliquippa Senior High School. Robert then served his country as a U.S. Army veteran of 22 years. During his dedicated service he received the National Defense Service Medical, Good Conduct Medical 6th Award, Vietnam Service Medal, RVN Campaign Medical, RVN Gallantry Cross Unit Citation W/Palm 2nd Award, Purple Heart 1st OLC, Bronze Star Medical 1st OLC, Bronze Star Medical W/”V” Device, Meritorious Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal-Berlin and Army of Occupation Medical-Germany. Robert also retired from the Federal Reserve Bank in Nashville, TN after 18 years of service. He obtained his early Christian values as a child at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania and later in life, became a member of Temple Church in Nashville, TN.
Robert was united in holy matrimony to Lula Mae Henderson on September 21, 1959. This union was blessed with four children, two sons and two daughters; Robert Louis Bryant III (Tre`), Karen D. Bryant Miller, Anita K. Bryant Brooks and Mark A. Bryant (decease)
He will be sorely missed by his wife, Lula Mae Bryant; mother, Margaret Bryant; sister, Barbara Ann Steele; children, Robert Louis Bryant, III (Deidra Bryant), Karen D. Bryant Miller, Anita K. Bryant Brooks, Octavia Rhodes and Darien Martin. Also surviving are fifteen grandchildren, Robert D. Brooks, Darrell C. Brooks, Ramiah Beard, Shante’ Bryant, Devalle Jovan Miller, Dominique Miller, Dauniqua Bryant, Dante’ Miller, Ebony Bryant, Aisha Bryant, Ricardo Hussey, Tavvona Rhodes, Jasmine Rhodes, Ashton Rhodes and Sierra Rhodes and eight grandchildren; devoted sister-in-law, Margaret Henderson; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Pitts and Mary F. Henderson; brother-in-law, Eula Henderson (Armelia); devoted friends, Anna C. Wilson, Ben and Mary McClendon; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Robert was a quiet man and loved his country and service so much, that he inspired his beloved “brother-cousin” and friend, Albert (Jack) Bryant (wife, Manala) to dedicate himself to serve his country also in becoming a high ranking Officer in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Visitation Tuesday, September 6, 2016 from 11am-12 noon with funeral to follow at Temple Church, 3810 Kings Lane with Pastor Darrell A. Drumwright, eulogist.
Interment in the Middle TN State Veterans Cemetery, Pegram, TN with Full Military Honors.