Benjamin "Don" Donald Bryant

Don was born November 12, 1944, in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, to Wilbur Bryant Sr. and Emma Lee Carter Bryant, who preceded him in death. He was raised in a loving home with six siblings who were close. He remained close with his sister Mavesta (Aunt Punkin’) until the day of his transition. He spent many Saturdays with her running errands and hanging out.

Don accepted salvation at an early age and learned about God throughout his childhood at the House of God. He grew into a devoted man of God, a pioneer of New Birth House of Prayer for All People, serving as the Chairman Deacon, Sunday School teacher, Elder Board member, and ordained minister from its inception until 2006. He later transferred his membership to Community Church of God where he continued to teach Sunday School and enjoyed being a member of the Sanctuary Choir and Male Chorus. He remained a beloved member of Community Church of God until his transition.

Don graduated from Dillard High School in 1962, and three years later joined the Army. He proudly served his country during the Vietnam war as a crew chief for the helicopter mechanics in his division. He serviced the sophisticated Cobra helicopter, playing a vital role in ensuring the helicopters were in working order for the pilots who sometimes needed repairs quickly so they could go on the next mission.

On January 31, 1974, Don married his childhood friend and love, Lillie S. Williams, in Ft. Lauderdale. From this union, they had three children Avis, Erica, and Rana. As a husband, he was devoted and tender, putting his family above all else. Don and Lillie thrived as a married couple, creating a home that welcomed all who needed love or assistance.

From a prior marriage and relationship Don had three children who he loved dearly: Sucilia Bryant, Donald Smith, Latee’ Bryant, and Ronald Bryant. As a father, he was a guiding light, patient and strong, and always led by example.

He is survived by his wife Lillie, children: Avis (Kimberly), Erica, Rana(Wayne), Sucilia (Ronald), Donald Jr., and Ronald; surrogate daughters: Javon and Chrissy (Chris); grandchildren: Tiffany, Brittany, Demetrius, Doneisha, Taisha Dames, Ronald Jr., Rashawn, Cassandra, Marcee’, Terique, Lo’Ren, Tyler, Jalen, Nakayla, Teffinae, Steffane’, and Jeffry; 12 great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and grand dog Kasper.

He is preceded in death by his siblings Harold Bryant, Wilbur Bryant Jr., Dorothy Bryant-Grant, Allen Bryant, and Linda Bryant and son Latee’ Bryant.

Visitation will be held at the Community Church of God, located at 1300 NW 19th Ct, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311, on July 25, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A second visitation will occur at the same venue on July 26, 2025, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, with a live stream available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHrbl_eRnuw.

The funeral service will be conducted at the Community Church of God on July 26, 2025, starting at 11:00 am. The service will also be live-streamed at the same link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHrbl_eRnuw.

The committal service will take place at the South Florida National Cemetery, Lane #1, located at 6501 FL-7, Wellington, FL 33449, on July 28, 2025, from 12:30 pm to 12:45 pm.

A Love Letter To My Beloved

My beloved Don, we shared the blessings of God for 56 years. So often, since you went away, I have thought on the many pleasures that we have had over the years, and the precious memories that I now hold so dear. I think of the time I spent with you; the man I was so wonderfully blessed to marry my first and only love.

The joy and laughter we shared will never get old or be forgotten. I truly and still believe that our union was ordained by God long before we ever knew it. The life journey we shared, we will never know how or why it all began. We would sometimes look back over the years and talk about when we were kids! Oh, how we often

laughed about times we played Hide and Go Seek, and how you would tell others about the time you tagged me and put a scar on my forehead to mark your ownership of me.

For as long as I can remember, we lived near each other in the same neighborhood. We shared many fun activities together going on joy rides, going to the beach, and on picnics together with our friends. We even attended the same schools. As we grew older, we were still part of each other’s life. We were members of the young adult club together, attended the same church and best of all learning about Christ while growing up together.

I believe God’s plan for us to be together forever started on January 16, 1969. We began courting that beautiful winter day by taking a car ride together. We were no longer children but had become full grown and mature adults. We later became husband and wife and were blessed with three beautiful and wonderful children Avis, Erica, and Rana.

You were the best husband and father anyone could ever have. You were a father figure to children who had no father in their lives. They called you “Uncle Daddy” because of who you were to them. You were kind and gentle; a man who shared his love, wittiness, humor and strength towards those who knew you.

Don, my love for you will forever be in my heart. Many say that you are deceased but to me you are “just asleep”, resting in our Father’s house where one day I will be with you again.

This is my letter to you: Sleep well my love

Your loving wife, Lillie