A former Librarian at the Carver Branch Library died last week at age 89.
This week the community mourns the death of China Bryant, an educator and librarian.
Funeral services are slated for December 27, 2018 at 11 a.m. at the King Ollie Baptist Church with the Reverend John L. Russell, Sr., officiating.
Her official obituary reads as follows:
“Mrs. China E. Bryant, left this life on her way to eternal life at the age of 89, peacefully, in the home of her daughter, Mary Alice Bryant Cezar in Monroe, Louisiana on December 21, 2018 at 4:00 a.m.
She was born February 28, 1929 in Boyles, Mississippi to Rev. John Thomas Baker and Mary Alice Smith.. She was reared in West Monroe, La., after her family moved there in 1935. She graduated from Monroe Colored High in 1946 and is one of the last remaining graduates of this class and historic school.
She married John Davis Bryant who predeceased her in 1982. They had six children: Miriam L. Bryant-Wilson (Reese), Xavier Craig Bryant, Mary Alice Bryant Cezar (Mahdi), and Danny Paul Bryant. Roland Wayne Bryant and Deric Santez Bryant, predeceased her. Although, she received much public recognitions for her activities and achievements, these were not necessarily her enduring legacies. She had two special needs sons which she was given to take care of until she could no longer do so. Her first son, Roland Wayne, suffered a cerebral condition which required her to hand tube feed in the early sixties, until his death at seven years of age on his birthday. Her second son, Deric Santez Bryant was nonverbal and a handicapped son, who she took care of herself until he was 63 years of age, “without complaint”.
Nevertheless, she began her educational pursuits at Southern University, which she spoke of quite fondly. She completed her matriculation at Northeast Louisiana University in the early seventies, cum laude. She received many newspaper mentions for her services as an educator and public librarian for Ouachita Parish Public Library System at then Carver Branch Public Library. She made many television appearances and visited the public schools throughout Ouachita Parish. She was a fine example of a wife, mother, and professional. She was a good and kind person. She was a member and served as Assistant Treasurer for King Ollie Missionary Baptist Church for over 20 years.
She leaves to cherish her memories not only her living children but her grandchildren, Celeste Yvette Ennis- Osumanu, Danielle Elizabeth Ennis-Phillips, Cedric Santez Bryant, Mark Anthony Ennis, Urico Michelle Benton, Brandy Nicole Jenkins, and Joseph Justin Bryant. She leaves 26 great grand children and two great great grandchildren.
She has a host of nieces and nephews, throughout the country. She will be missed by all of those whom she has loved throughout the years. Corcetter Johnson and Earnest Tankchell has helped in varied ways in recent years.
