Susan C. Bryant

Susan C. Bryant was born January 24, 1933, in Cheraw, South Carolina as the third child of eleven children to her wonderful parents, the late Frank D. Johnson and Mamie Gertrude Johnson. Susan was known for her giving heart. Her gentle spirit allowed God to draw a multitude of people, young and old to her. Many of her friends described her as being one who did not just talk about doing God’s work, she graciously did it. She ministered to the body and the souls of many. Susan attended public schools in Cheraw, South Carolina and was a 1951 graduate from Coulter Academy High School. After graduation, she attended Barber-Scotia College and earned a Bachelor of Science degree. She, later, attended Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana and earned a Master of Arts in Education degree. This spiritual journey began at the Mt. Hebron A.M.E. Zion Church of Cheraw, South Carolina. After moving to New York City, she joined the Mother Zion Church of Brooklyn. Later, moving to Indianapolis, Indiana, Susan joined New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church where she devoted much of her time being actively involved in the Nurses Auxiliary, Decoration Committee, Pastor’s Aid, Women’s Missionary, Agape Committee and Family Promise of Greater Indianapolis Homeless Outreach Program. Susan started her professional career as a home economics teacher at Long High School in Cheraw. During the summertime, she worked as a hospitality host in Myrtle Beach. Susan later moved to New York City, where she was employed with the Coney Island Hospital as a dietician, until she moved to Indianapolis, Indiana. In Indianapolis, she returned to being a career educator employed with Indianapolis Public Schools: #26, #36, #94 and John Marshall High School until retirement. Within the community-at-large, Susan was a Forest Manor neighborhood organizer, member of the NAACP, and a 50-year member of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. -Tau Chapter. Susan met her beloved husband, Sandy Mack Bryant in 1962, and was blessed with two wonderful stepchildren: Atty Sandy L. Bryant “Punchie” and Sandra Bryant. Later, Sandy and Sandra blessed her with two grandchildren: Damon Bryant and Brandon Bryant. Great grandchildren, via Damon: Tyler and Tayler… via Brandon: Alexander Lee Bryant, Lianna Averie Bryant, Landon Odel Bryant and Great-Great Grands … via Brandon: Skyla Grace Bryant and Zayla Anne Bryant … they all called her affectionately – “GrandMa” Susan’s selfless love for people and her desire to be a blessed support to others extended to her Senior Living Community Traditions at North Willow. Within the three years, while being a resident at North Willow’s Villas, Susan was known as the ‘Good Samaritan of Traditions’. She was a friend and an ambassador of good deeds to many residents. She participated with the Traditions’ book Club and the University United Methodist Church’s outreach communion service. God called to His Heavenly Home, this great woman into eternal rest on Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, while being surrounded, at her bedside by her family members; Step-daughter -Sandra, Sister-by-love, Mary, niece – Clare and grandson – Damon. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Sandy Mack Bryant, father: Frank D. Johnson, mother: Mamie Gertrude Johnson. Brothers: Franklin D. Johnson, Calvin Quincy Johnson and Willie Lincoln Johnson. Sisters: Amelia Nell Johnson; Janie Louise Johnson and Betty Lou Blake-Dorsey. Grandson: Brandon Bryant. Brother-by-love, Stephen B. Odle and sisters-by-love, Gwendolyn Hudson Johnson, Wilma Hunt Johnson and Harriet Young Johnson. To continue to celebrate her life, Susan leaves her Step-daughter, Sandra Bryant; step-son, Atty Sandy Leviticus Bryant; brothers: John Edward Johnson and Roosevelt Johnson (Mary), sisters: Mary Henrietta Brockman (Joel) and Ruth Elizabeth Odle, sister-by-love: Cora Harrington Johnson; grandson: Damon Bryant (Shawna); great grandchildren: Tyler Bryant, Tayler Bryant, Alexander Lee Bryant, Lianna Averie Bryant, Landon Odel Bryant, Skyla Grace Bryant, and Zayla Anne Bryant as well as several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.