Birth Date: 03/13/1937
Deceased Date: 05/14/2020
Obituary
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord,
The righteous judge shall give me at that day; and not to me only,
But unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8
On March 13, 1937, a baby boy was born to Ernest and Ella Perry Bryant in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. They named him Perry Edward Bryant. Perry was reared in Elizbeth City and attended elementary and secondary school at P. W. Moore in Elizabeth City.
After graduating from high school, Perry attended A & T State University for one year. He completed his education at North Carolina College, now North Carolina Central University in Durham, N. C. with a B. S. Degree in Art and History.
He retired after teaching for thirty-seven years. Thirty-two of those years were spent in the Johnston County School System at North Johnston High School, where he taught art and photography. Perry also taught photography at Johnston Community College in Smithfield.
Perry was a member of White Rock AME Church, Micro, North Carolina. At White Rock, he served as a Trustee, Member of the Senior Choir, and President of the Local Lay Organization. Before joining White Rock, Perry attended Olive Branch Missionary Baptist Church in Elizabeth City.
Perry received many awards, among them: the Johnston County Schools Living Legend Award; the Excellence Award from the Northern District of the North Carolina Conference of the AME Church; and the Living Legacy Award from the Second Episcopal District of the AME Church.
His hobbies included flying airplanes, painting, photography, collecting Nutcrackers, and traveling. He also enjoyed building model airplanes. Perry was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys and the UNC-CH Tarheels.
On May 14, 2020, God sent an angel to Wake Medical Center to bring Perry home to live with Him throughout eternity. He knew it was time for his suffering to end. He knew Perry had fought a good fight and was now ready to come home to Him and live in the mansion God had prepared for him.
Perry leaves cherished memories to his beloved wife, Paulette; his children, Cathy (Kim) Hill, Deborah (Ken) Andrews; Donnie (Rhonda) Bryant; Clinton Bryant; Jeffrey (Linda) Smith and Travis Smith. His grandchildren – Breanna, Kory, Brayden, TaShira, Alaric, Donnie Jr., Terrence, Shawnae, Schmyer, and Clinton Jr. He is also survived by five great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law – Marie, Delois, Shirley, Edna, Laura, Hannah, Ilene, Gwen, Laurie and Yvonne., and brothers-in-law – John, Raymond, Ivy, Ben, Turner, Malcolm, Byron, Bernard, William, and Dan. A host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends will mourn his passing.
Servant of God, Well done
Rest from thy loved employ
The battle fought; the victory won
Enter the Master’s Joy.
Wednesday, May 20
1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Sanders Funeral Home Chapel
806 E Market St
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 934-8416
Graveside Service:
Thursday, May 21
11:00 AM
Selma Memorial Gardens
Selma, NC 27576
Please visit www.rlsandersfuneralhome.net to leave online condolences.
