Howard Bryant

BRYANT, Mr. Howard - Age 81, passed away Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at St. Mary's in Saginaw, MI. Family hour 12Noon Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at Fairhaven Seventh Day Adventist, G-1379 W. Louis Ave., with funeral service commencing at 1 p.m., Eld. Truman Bryant officiating, Pastor Leon George, host pastor. Interment River Rest Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 12Noon Wednesday. Mr. Bryant will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12Noon-8 p.m. Tuesday. Mr. Bryant was born June 6th, 1928 in Carthage MS, to Arden and Birnicteen Bryant. Later his family moved to Walnut Grove, MS, where he attended and graduated from high school. He married Ernestine Wright before he joined the United States Army, in March of 1950. Serving in the Korean Conflict, he was captured and MIA for 2 weeks before being rescued. In January of 1952, he received an Honorable Discharge and was awarded a Purple heart from being wounded in captivity. Mr. Bryant returned back to his home town, and attended Alcorn State University in Lorman, MS, where he received his a BA Degree in Agriculture. He moved his family to Flint, Michigan, by way of Chicago to work for the General Motors Buick Plant on Industrial Avenue. Mr. Bryant always strived to find better work and pay to support his family. He worked at the Flint Main Postal Service in 1956 while studying for his Real Estate License. After overcoming many racial barriers from State and local Real Estate boards., he not only became a Licensed Sales Agent, but shortly passed the exam, and became the First Black Real Estate Broker in Genesee County. Years later, he was a 2 term elected President of the Flint Board of Realtors. Mr. Bryant was owner of Home and Suburban Realty Corporation. His first Office was in his home. Then later moving to Harriet Street, West Flint Park Blvd., and then Clio Rd. Through the years, he motivated, and hired many African-American men, as well as women to becoming sales agents. In the Early 1960’s, along with former City officials he pushed to pass many Fair housing laws that were discriminating against Blacks who were unable to buy homes in segregated neighborhoods. He single handily stopped the Flint Journal from posting “Colored Owned” in the Real Estate listings of the Classified Ads. Being a businessman, he was always involved with other opportunities to make money and take care of his family. Mr. Bryant was a Spiritual man. He was baptized into the North Street Seventh-Day Adventist Church in 1958. He was a devout Christian to his church; serving as Deacon, and Local Elder for many years. He especially devoted his attention to the church’s practices of healthy living; and always counseled his friends, strangers, and family members on healthy eating, and his Seventh-Day Adventist Religion. Mr. Bryant had a big heart for people of all Races. He never met a stranger. Mr. Bryant loved his 8 children, grand and great-grand children. He believed in providing a good Christian Education for his 8 children. Sending them to church school, Boarding Academies and Universities in Michigan. Later he donated Real Estate properties to Fairhaven Seventh-Day Adventist Church schools. His hobbies were his obsession with the latest “Electronic Gadgets”, talking about the Bible, and his love for the sport of Basketball. Mr. Bryant coached his church team for over 10 years. Taking them to a Lake Region Conference SDA Divisional Championship in 1983. He was a mentor, for many of the young men on his team. Surviving to carry on his legacy are: devoted 2nd wife of 34 years, Juanita H. Bryant; 7 daughters, Shirley R. Bryant of Willow Grove, PA., Serita (Frank) Jones of Atlanta, GA, Linda (Jimmie) Strong of Olympia Fields, IL, Conti (Allan) Norris, Chisandra (Fred) Lambert, Terri(Rufus) Braggs and Yvonne Bryant all of Flint; step daughter, Debra Harris of Columbus, OH; special god daughter, Tonya (Keith) Evans of Racine, WI; 14 grandchildren, Tonisha Sibley, Doelynne Strong, Janelle Strong, Linda “Baby” Sanford, Krishelle Murphy, Marcus and Matthew Jones, DeNiro Forte’, Gilbere Forte’, Clarissa, Candace,Christopher and Terrin Bryant, and Vincent Norris; 14 great-grandchildren; 3 brothers, Leon (Edna) Bryant, Shelby Jean (Lawana) Bryant, all of Flint and Truman (Xenia) Bryant, of Dallas, TX; 3 sisters, Quintealya Bryant of Silver Springs, MD, Bonnie (Oliver) McKinney of Decatur, GA and Arvonne (John) Starks of Silver Springs, MD; sister-in-law, Patricia (Houston) Bryant all of Flint; a host of nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles, close business associates, former Agents, secretaries in the Real Estate and Flint Community and members of his beloved Church family. Mr. Bryant was preceded in death by his parents; his 1st wife, Ernestine; son, Reginald Bryant; step-son, Charles Webster; brother, Houston Bryant; uncle, Dr. Spurgeon Bryant; former in-laws in Chicago; nephews; and cherished friend, Julius Smith. The family would especially like to thank the staff of Heartland Nursing Facility, St. Mary’s ER of Saginaw MI., Dr. Paul and PA., Theresa Musson, the staff of Hurley Medical Center, The Fairhaven SDA, Eternal Life SDA Churches, and his former Associate Broker Mrs. Dianne Martin and Sis. Bobbie West for her support.

Howard Bryant

June 6, 1928 - February 16, 2010