Emily Watson Bryan

She was born on February 20, 1933 in Athens, Georgia to the late Nell and Joseph Watson. She grew up in Jacksonville Beach and graduated from Fletcher High School and later from the University of Florida in 1956 with a degree in Special Education and Speech Therapy. After graduation, she accepted a job with the United Cerebral Palsy Foundation in Tampa. Included in that acceptance was a six weeks scholarship to Columbia University where she enjoyed all the sights and sounds of New York City. She met her future husband (Ed) on a blind date in Tampa and married within a year and a half. They spent most of their married life in Clearwater where she was employed as a speech therapist at Morning Star School in Clearwater before retiring to stay at home to raise her two sons. She followed her favorite job of being a homemaker, with being a realtor.

Emily served and worshipped the Lord for over 55 years at Trinity Presbyterian. She was a Kappa Delta alumnae. She was physically active through her life with water and snow skiing, running, tennis, hiking, dancing, and attending/watching Gator football games. She loved getting together weekly with their closest friends, “The Fridays”, and attending the weekly Searcher Sunday School class and their monthly Adventure Club. After moving to Regency Oaks, she became active in their choir and book club. Above all, she loved the Lord and her family.

Emily is survived by her sons, Ed, Jr., and his wife, Patty, and John, and his wife, Amy; grandchildren: Jillian, Rachel, Zackery, Andrew (Mary Frances), Matthew (Kristen), Daniel (Sheridan); great-grandchildren, Emily Jane Rigg, Emery, Fallon; many extended family members and friends.

In addition to her parents, Emily was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 55 years, William Edward Bryan Sr.; and sister, Dorothy Watson McClure.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 on Saturday, August 3, 2024 at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 2001 Rainbow Drive, Clearwater, Florida 33765.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to her favorite charity, Desire Street Ministries (which is led by her favorite Gator, Danny Wuerffel!) Desire Street Ministries, PO Box 105603, PMB 82418, Atlanta, Georgia 30348-5603 or online at desirestreet.org.