Arney "Boone" Lewis Bryant Jr.

Our much-loved son, brother, nephew, cousin and friend, Arney Lewis Bryant Jr, 51, returned to his Heavenly Father unexpectedly on April 6, 2022. Arney was the first son born to Arney and Vera Bryant on December 29,1970.

Arney’s care-free spirit, generous heart, thirst for life, and need for adventure had a rippling effect on everyone he met. He had a special gift of not only seeing the good in people but bringing out the best in them as well. Arney was an avid lover of the outdoors and spent much of his time in the mountains and on the lakes enjoying the peaceful beauty and magnificence of Gods handiwork. His love for the outdoors brought out the happy spontaneous spirit that lived in him.

He was met with many difficult challenges in life, all of which he faced head on. He never turned down the opportunity to turn those challenges into victories. Some of which he won and some he lost, but he still pressed on. He loved football and his dream of becoming a member of special forces led him to spend a brief time in the US Marines. He exemplified falling and getting back up like no other. He was such a unique man.

His Christian Faith was an Adventure! It was a rugged, tarnished, and an unpretentious journey. God counted on his fearlessness to get certain things done. Arney was radical and revolutionary in mind. When his Faith was tested again and again, he sometimes won and sometimes failed but he never quit. Early in his walk with the Lord he often spoke of revolutionizing the community and rallying the troops to slay the grip of sin, only to end up fighting his own personal battles with iniquity.

In the depths of who he was, he loved the Lord. God still used him. His tool of choice was a simple fishing rod (a cane pole). Arney used fishing to connect to people. He used fishing to teach his grandkids, friends, and family lessons in life. He loved picking a water source, testing those waters, preparing the bait, casting his line, and netting the catch. He then prepared and served the fresh catch as a meal to those with him-even carrying his own seasonings. He taught his grandkids, nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends to fish, spending countless hours sharing outdoorsman tips and storytelling. In the reality of life, he served and loved like he lived, with a fierceness and joy that only he could sustain. He loved his family and especially the elders of the family. He often reminisced of his childhood, time spent with grandparents, and family gatherings.

His principle: Give a man a fish, and he will survive for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he will survive a lifetime. Make the gospel of Jesus a reality by living like you really believe it!

When you think of Arney, celebrate the good memories you have of him. Remember that life is short, fragile, and should be lived to the fullest. He will be missed more than any words could express but he has left his thumb print on all of us. He will be forever in our hearts till we meet again.

Arney was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Shuff and Judy Bryant and maternal grandfather, Norman Lytle Sr.

Arney leaves to cherish his memories, daughter, LaTasha McElrath, three grandchildren, Josiah, Lela, and Justice, all of Morganton: one brother, Marco Bryant (Sara), Winter Garden, Florida, and one sister, LaDonya Edwards (Carl), Valdese, N.C. He also leaves behind maternal grandmother, Juanita Lytle; three nephews, Nolan, Andreas, and Aiden, and two nieces, Lyrical, and Haven, all of whom adored and always looked forward to him and his antics. He had a way of lighting up a room. He leaves behind a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and very special friends that will long to see him again and cherish every special memory of him. He was very much loved.

Services for Arney Lewis Bryant, Jr., will be held 2 p.m. Friday, April 15, 2022 at Chambers Chapel Baptist Church. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time at the church. Burial will follow at McElrath AME Church Cemetery.

The Bryant Family has entrusted Kirksey Funeral Home of Morganton with arrangements.