Florence Borders Bryant

She made it to 100!

At age 17 she moved on her own to Charlotte to attend the National School of Commerce. After graduation, she worked in the booking department of Universal Pictures. A lifelong learner, she later attended Queens College.

In May of 1945, she married a good-looking redhead named Henry E. Bryant. They settled in a quiet Myers Park neighborhood and raised six children.

Florence was a three-time breast cancer survivor. She loved her family, her friends, a good joke, a well made gin and tonic, reading, playing tennis, her vegetable garden, traveling, and she loved politics.

She was a die-hard Democrat.

Her passion for politics led her to serve as president of the Mecklenburg Democratic Women’s Club and vice-chair of Mecklenburg County Democrats. She attended many, many, campaign rallies. She and Henry were invited to and attended the inaugural balls of Presidents Kennedy and Carter.

She was a member of the Charlotte Woman’s Club serving as safety chair of the public affairs department and leading a campaign advocating the use of seat belts before seat belts were mandatory.

Florence was one of nine hand-selected members to be on the first Mecklenburg Commission on the Status of Women.

She traveled extensively with Henry, family members, and friends. After Henry’s death, she was an active traveler with the Friendship Force and believed that meeting people from different cultures and beliefs brought the world closer together.

Her lifelong admiration of Eleanor Roosevelt inspired her accomplishments, leadership and outspokenness. Florence was quite the activist in her day.

She was a longtime member of Myers Park Baptist Church where she volunteered in the nursery and the Stephen Ministry. She quietly lived her faith with an open, inclusive heart.

She is predeceased by her beloved husband Henry, son, Henry Edward Bryant Jr., great-grandson, Tyler Hampton Rogers Jr., and sister Lona Borders Allen.

She is survived by her children, Julia Raiford (Stacey), Jane Ashley (Dick), Joan Chapman (Chris), Jean Hazelton (Peter), and John Bryant (Christine); six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

The family is grateful to the caregivers of Park Hall in Embrace Health at Southminster, especially Jackie, Laresha, and Alex.

A private graveside service will be held at a later date.

Please consider a donation to Madelyn’s Fund, 7804 Fairview Rd., PMB #259, Charlotte, NC 28226 (madelynsfund.org) for the support given to Hampton, or to Myers Park Baptist Church, 1900 Queens Rd., Charlotte, NC 28207 (myersparkbaptist.org).