C. June Bryant, 68, of Macon, GA died on February 15, 2018 of complications related to metastasized breast cancer. Funeral services and celebration of her life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 19, 2018 at Liberty United Methodist Church with the Rev. Wayne Anthony and the Rev. Cassandra Howe officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donation be made to one of the following: Liberty United Methodist Church Building Fund, High Street Unitarian Universalist General Fund or Daybreak, 174 Walnut Street, Macon, GA.
June was born on June 24, 1949, the daughter of Malcom F “Mack” and Cathryn Bryant. She is preceded in death by her father Malcolm F. “Mack” Bryant. She is survived by her spouse of almost 40 years Chet Strunk; her mother Cathryn Arnold Bryant; Chet’s sons Jeff Strunk, his spouse Cheryl, Jeff’s three children Cole, Quinn, and Gretchen and Greg Strunk, his spouse Sarah, and their children Sadie and Ethan; June’s brother Macky Bryant, spouse Suzanne, son Jake Bryant and children Jake, Ava, Catherine, and Savannah; and daughter Millie Bryant-Giannini, spouse Rob and son Henry.
Born in Macon, June graduated from McElvoy High School class of 1967, from the University of Georgia with a Batchelor of Science in 1971, and from Duke University in Durham, NC for her masters in 1972. June taught at Sanderson High School in Raleigh, NC 1972-74. In 1974 June began teaching for Fulton County Board of Education in Atlanta, GA and taught in various FC schools where she pioneered a reading program, created a teaching museum, designed an oral history project and many other educational innovations. In 1992 June taught in Macon Bibb County system for several years before returning to Fulton County to complete her career. While June retired after 30 years of teaching social studies in public school, she never really stopped teaching because teaching was her passion. June taught English to speakers of other languages at Central Georgia Technical College, reading to non readers at Daybreak, instructional strategies to other educators, organized educational conferences for the Unitarian Universalists Mid South District and many other teaching roles.
June was a vital force in her community. She was president of High Street Unitarian Universalist Congregation, a member of the Interfaith Council, Board member for the Macon Bibb County Library, Fair Trade Festival organizer, and a garden club member. Her work with social justice led her to become a founding member of Bless These Hands, and this group created Daybreak, Macon’s homeless day services center. Her work with refugees, Ugandan women, and the homeless speaks to June’s desire to be a champion of justice.
When she wasn’t working on social justice issues, June enjoyed friends, gardening, reading, traveling, and family. June always said, “Macon is a great place to be from.” So in 1992 June and Chet moved back to Macon and built a house close to her mother and father. Her five acres has been her gardening heaven for 25 years. Here she grew vegetables with her father, cared for her mother-in-law, spent time with her mother, shared plants with neighbors, and entertained family and friends. She loved to roam—France, Spain, Costa Rico, Alaska, Hudson River Valley— but she always returned to Rutland Community for renewal.
The family is grateful for the outpouring of love during June’s transition making it as peaceful and comfortable as possible. June felt totally surrounded by love. Special thanks to June’s friend supporters Jackie Clarke, Emily Carr, and Judy Hammack, to Donna Davis as primary caregiver, to the Gammy birds—Jackie Clarke, Emily Carr, Terri Thames, Gena Bryant Jansen, Susan McCranie Norris, Ellen Walker Vivet, and Eleanor Hughes for their friendship and support, to Ms. Annie Evans and her “cracker jack” team of caregivers, and to Mike Bone for Princess Snowball pony. Thank you.
Visit www.snowsmacon.com to share condolences.
Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Pio Nono Avenue has charge of arrangements.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18