Franklin – Benjamin James Bryant, Sr., 80, lifelong farmer and resident of Sunbeam, loving husband, father, grandfather and brother died May 16, 2007 at the East Pavilion surrounded by his family. He was a member of Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church, serving as Sunday school teacher, superintendent, trustee, and on the Administrative Board. After the closing of Mt. Horeb, he joined Newsoms Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher. He was a charter member of Newsoms Ruritan Club, joining when he was 18 years of age and served many years on the Southampton County Planning Commission. He also served on numerous farming organization boards and committees during his 63 years consecutive of years of farming until his retirement. Farming held a special place in his life until his death.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 50 years, Margaret Harrell Bryant; son, Benjamin James Bryant, Jr., and wife, Sandra, of Ivor; two grandchildren, Westley D. Bryant, Jonathan H. Bryant; a brother, John W. Bryant, Jr., and wife, Doris, of Franklin; and numerous nieces and nephews. Mr. Bryant was predeceased by his father, John W. Bryant, Sr., mother, Eva Foushee Bryant, and two sisters, Jean B. Prince and Bernice B. Crockett.
A funeral service will be conducted at 1 pm Saturday at Newsoms Baptist Church with the Rev. Kenneth Williams officiating. Burial will follow in Hollywood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 pm Friday at Wright Funeral Home and suggest memorials be made to Newsoms Baptist Church, c/o Donna Taylor, 30211 Statesville Road, Newsoms, Va. 23874. Condolences may be offered at www.wrightfuneralhome.org.