Jean Neal Bryant

Jean was born March 22, 1930 in Rutherfordton, NC to Louise McGinnis and Zebulon D. Cochran. Her father passed away when she was two and Jean was later adopted by her stepfather, Thomas Roebuck Neal of Greenville, SC. She attended Greenville City schools and the Fassifern Preparartory School in Hendersonville, NC , later graduating from Anderson College in Anderson, SC with a degree in commercial art. In 1950, Jean was crowned Azalea Queen and later Queen Azalea XII at the Azalea Festival of Charleston, and Maid of Cotton in 1951. These titles afforded her the opportunity to travel the eastern seaboard representing her home state. She hosted a popular radio show, The Jean Neal Show, over Radio Station WESC at Greenville, which ran 5 days a week and featured sentimental records and poetry.

On June 27, 1952 Jean married her sweetheart, Everett Clyde Bryant, Jr. (Gabby) who survives of the home. Jean and Gabby made their home in Raleigh for several years before returning to Gabby’s hometown of High Point where they raised their family. Active in the community, Jean was a member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist church where she taught Sunday school for many years, as well as many civic and cultural organizations including the Junior League of High Point, the Debutante Club of High Point.

In the early ‘80s, Jean and Gabby made the decision to divide their time between High Point and Weatherford, TX where they pursued their dream of ranching and raising cutting horses. She also greatly enjoyed her many dear friends, parties, the beach, her gardens and golf. Her greatest passion, though, was her family – her greatest joy was being “Ma’am” to her three grandsons.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents and by her son, Everett Clyde Bryant, III.

She is survived by her daughters, Elizabeth Bryant Young and her husband, Ron of Weatherford, TX, Lynn Bryant Finnegan and her husband, Jim of High Point and Neal Bryant of Dallas, TX as well as her grandsons, James Patrick Finnegan,III, of Carrboro, NC; Everett Bryce Young of Hanover, NH and Reilly Bryant Finnegan of Chapel Hill, NC.

Her family would like to acknowledge and thank all her caregivers, especially Janet Sumpter, Sharon Phillips and Barbara Green. Special thanks also, to Dr. Richard Orr and staff.

The family will receive friends on Friday, June 28th from 4:00-6:00 pm, the Asbury Room, Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church. A private graveside service for the family will be held on Saturday, June 29th at, Floral Garden Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 1225 Chestnut Drive, High Point, NC 27262; Hospice of the Piedmont, 1801 Westchester Drive, High Point, NC 27262 or Friends with Flowers, 1616 Battleground Avenue, D1, Greensboro, NC 27408 or the charity of one’s choice.

Please offer condolences with the family at www.sechrestfunerals.com.