Edgar B. Bryant

Edgar B. Bryant, 69, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at his residence surrounded by his family. He was a joy to everyone that crossed his path.

He was born September 5, 1955, in Rutherfordton, North Carolina to the late Isaiah B. Bryant and the late Pauline Davis Kelly. Other than his parents, he was also preceded in death by several other family members.

Edgar attended Central High Hill School in Rutherfordton, and retired from Asheville City Schools. He also worked for Asheville Parks and Recreation, and was a board member for the Buncombe County Head Start Program. He worked for the Leaf Festival for 14 years, and was known as “Papa Smurf.” No one was a stranger to him. His smile and laughter were as big as his heart. Edgar truly loved and enjoyed his life with his wife, his family, and his friends.

Left to cherish his memories are his wife Deborah Bryant, sons Brian Keith, Daiman, Brandon, Yamir and Trevon, daughters Cindy, Demetria, Charlita, Lakeshia, Najah, Monica, Zantora, Cynthia and Trinity, sisters Rebecca, Ella, Andrea (Roy), and Gloria (Jimmy), brothers Shedric, Robert Lee, Alvin (Jackie), Darrell (Qwen) and Quinton, 22 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Service to honor the life of Edgar will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at WNC Baptist Fellowship Church (240 Haywood St.), at 1pm. He will lie in state one hour prior to the funeral, and family will receive friends at 12:30pm.  Viewing will be held on Friday, September 20, 2024, at Avery's Memorial Chapel from 1pm - 7pm. The service will be live streamed on Avery's Memorial Chapel's Facebook page.

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