Reverend Donald Norton Bryant was promoted to his eternal reward on Thursday, August 19, 2021, at the age of 85. He was the youngest of seven children born to Morton Hodgson Bryant and Jeanette Norton Bryant. After his mother’s death, his father married Eula Mae Cope, who became the loving mother to Donald and his six siblings. He was preceded in death by his three brothers: Morton Bryant and wife, Josephine, Charles Bryant and wife, Mary Earle, John Bryant, and brother-in-law Dan Hawk.
Donald is survived by his loving wife, Donna, their two sons, Errin (Brenda), and Mark (Prentiss), three sisters, Barbara Hawk, Mary Teate (Henry), and Jane Childress (Bruce), sisters-in-law Martha Bryant, Jodi Loyd (Ron), Peggy Smith (Joe), and brother-in-law, Jim Coburn, and many loving nieces and nephews.
Donald met his wife, Donna Lapp, from Toronto, Canada, while attending Pentecostal Bible Institute in Tupelo, Mississippi. They married in 1958, and he then earned his master’s degree in Education and Administration from Auburn University in 1960. He taught school for ten years before embarking to Paraguay, South America with his wife Donna and their young sons, Errin, age six, and Mark, age two. During their seventeen years there, they established churches throughout the nation and founded a Bible School. Upon returning to the USA, he taught in Escambia County, FL until his retirement. He was very active in his church in Pensacola, always ready to teach, minister and be of service to others. He had the heart of a humble servant.
We are indebted to the wonderful church family of First Pentecostal Church for the outpouring of prayers, love, support, and many kindnesses shown, especially Pastor Brian Kinsey and his wife, Lynette. There are many more friends than could be named, some of whom became family. We would also like to express gratitude to all who have shown their love and care, including the wonderful staff of Woodlands Medical Center and Emerald Coast Hospice.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to First Pentecostal Church or Emerald Coast Hospice, both of Pensacola.
The service will be held at First Pentecostal Church, 6500 North W St, Pensacola, FL 32505 on Monday August 23, 2021 with Visitation at 10:00am and Funeral Service to follow at 11:00am.
Family request that Masks please be worn.
