Bryan is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jane Bates Graham; his children, Adrienne Graham of Columbia, SC, Jennifer Graham-Johnson of Atlanta, GA and Joseph Graham of Newberry, SC. He is also survived by his son-in-law, David Johnson. He was called “Pops” by his beloved grandchildren, Alice Bowie of Charlotte, NC, Alec Bowie of Columbia, Tyler and Ethan Johnson of Atlanta, Durham Graham of Chapin, SC and Kelsey Graham of NC. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Malcolm (Mac) and Barbara Graham of Columbia. He is also survived by many beloved cousins. Bryan was predeceased by his parents, Virgil Bryan Graham, Sr. and Elizabeth Locklier Graham. He was also predeceased by his son-in-law, Harry John Bowie of Hazelhurst, MS.
Bryan was a graduate of Dreher High School, where he was known as “Bear” on the school’s football team. He attended the University of South Carolina and Palmer Business College. He pursued his goal of working in the field of accounting. He worked as the head of accounting for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina and eventually was the Comptroller for Mungo Homes. He retired from Mungo Homes in 2004.
When Bryan found something he enjoyed, he did it in big fashion. After moving into a home with several acres of land in 1975, he discovered a passion for gardening. He and many friends fed their families from that garden including freezing, canning and pickling food for the entire year. His next big passion was bike riding. He pedaled through most of the 1990’s and would ride up to 10,000 miles a year. He enjoyed time at their beach home in Tybee Island and boating on Lake Murray and the intercoastal waterways near Tybee Island, GA. “Pop’s famous ribs,” as his grandchildren called them, were a favorite. Bryan’s consistent response to his family asking him how he was doing was to say “laying back, looking good.” He loved working in his yard for hours and hours.
After growing up as a member of First Baptist Church in Columbia, he attended Union United Methodist Church starting in 1976. He was a member of the Aline Leitner Fellowship Sunday School Class. He was a member of the Dutch Fork Optimist Club and managed the Christmas Tree lot for many years. He was a generous man and provided many people he did not know with fantastic Christmas mornings.
Bryan’s heart was filled with love for his family. Many felt he and his wife were a great example of “opposites attract” as Bryan was a man of few words while Jane is the opposite. Bryan was very proud of his three children and their accomplishments in life. His heart was overflowing with love and interest in his grandchildren who he loved to entertain at the beach and playground at Tybee Island when they were young. As they grew up, he was their biggest sports fan, took history trips and cheered them on at science fairs, presentations and graduations.
A service will be held for Bryan on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at 10:00 am at Union United Methodist Church, 7582 Woodrow Street in Irmo, SC. The family will visit with guests immediately after the funeral. Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, Irmo, is assisting the family.
Memorials may be made to Union United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 705, Irmo, SC 29063-0705 or the charity of your choice.
Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.5