Johnnie Mathew Bryant Jr.

He was born on July 21, 1925 in Bolton, NC. Johnnie was the youngest of six children to Johnnie Mathew Bryant and Novilla Francis O’Berry. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary “Bebe” Maples Bryant, brother Earl Bryant, sister Maybelle Lewis, sister Alva Corbett and sister Mildred Fredere. He is survived by his sister Adelle Potter, four children, Deborah Jean Hartley and spouse Bill of Vilas, NC, Johnnie Mathew Bryant III and partner Simone Mosca Grace of Carolina Beach, NC, Brian Keith Bryant and spouse Teresa of Winnabow, NC and Traci Bryant Lewis and spouse Benjamin of Goldsboro, NC, along with many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Johnnie’s family and friends know him best as having a heart of gold with a hilarious sense of humor that spanned nine decades. He loved meeting new people and putting a smile on their faces whether by way of joke or prank. Johnnie balanced a great personality with a strong work ethic that remained throughout his entire life. He began his life in Wilmington when his father, who worked in the lumber industry, was promoted to work for Godwin Lumber and relocated the family to Wilmington from Bolton, NC.

As a young boy, he learned the woodworking trade from his father and worked as a telegraph courier in Downtown Wilmington. At the age of 17, after much debate from his parents and much desire of his own, Johnnie enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Due to his already strong work ethic, Johnnie was cross-trained and worked in many areas of the Navy including Submarines, Special Forces Beach Patrol and Operation Crossroads in the south Pacific. Outside of special operations, he was proud of the responsibility he had being a navigator as a Quartermaster, 2nd class.

After his naval service, Johnnie returned home and studied at Wilmington College. He met his first and third Bride, Mary “Bebe” Bryant. They began their life together and started a family bringing Debbie and Matt into the world. Later they ended their 1st Marriage and he married Hulene Bramlett. Out of their union, they brought Brian and Traci into the world. For most of his adult career, he was a regional Manager with Armour and Phaelzer Brothers Meats. When he returned home to Wilmington, he was a multi-site Commercial HVAC specialist for York International. Even after retiring he continued using his talents of carpentry and endless technical skills independently because he could not refuse a friend or loved one in need

.

When Bebe and Johnnie reconnected and were married again, she put him to work by drafting her designs and creations on paper and he would measure, cut and execute their “many “projects”. They were a dynamic team that built furniture, crafts, instruments, homes and more. Johnnie’s love for navigating the water did not end with his naval service, He spent many quiet hours on the water fishing and bringing home his catch. Several apprentices joined their team over the years, who gave him titles he loved more than any job ever gave him: “Daddy” and “Grandaddy”.

Johnnie didn't care who you were or what you did in life - everyone was someone to him and he always made the time. He had a quiet but strong faith in God and the legacy of him lives on through the lives of those he encountered. Our family extends our greatest appreciation to his Caregiving team as well as Hospice staff and volunteers.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, July 5 from 6-8 p.m. at Coble Ward-Smith Funeral Service. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, July 6 at the funeral home with Interment following at Oleander Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, we respectfully request donations to be made to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice.

Condolences to the family may be offered at www.coblewardsmithwilmington.com