ROY MELVIN BRYANT, age 89 of Athens, Tenn. passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, June 16, 2018, at his residence.

He was born in Sweetwater, Tenn., was a resident of Athens, Tenn., a son of the late Browder and Ethel May Clark Bryant, and was preceded in death by Brother, Leon Bryant; Three Sisters: Matttie Jane Matthews, Francis Brannen, and Jewell Summey.

He was owner and operator of Bryant's Appliance Service for 32 years and was a member of East Niota Baptist Church for 63 years having served for 60 years as a faithful Deacon.

He was a veteran of the U. S. Army serving from 1951-1953.

Survivors include his Wife of 62 years: Willie Ellen Shell Bryant of Athens, Tenn.; Daughter and Sons-in-law: Karla Bryant and Rev. Randy Irons of Walton, Ky.; Two Sons and Daughters-in-law: Rev. Wayne and Susan Bryant of Madisonville, Tenn., Rev. Mark and Debbie Bryant of Marshall, Va.; Brother and

Sister-in-law: William and Betty Bryant of Athens, Tenn.; Four Sisters: Virginia Creasman of Riceville, Tenn., Brenda Wright of Riceville, Tenn., Ruby McNabb of Grass Valley, Calif., and Catherine Pope of Athens, Tn.; Seven Grandchildren: Andy, Beth, Debbie, Brianna, Lincoln, Dallas and Kaitlin; 21 Great Grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 7:00 P.M. Wednesday in the Chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with Rev. Wayne Bryant, Rev. Mark Bryant and Rev. Jerry Plaster officiating.

Interment will be 10:30 A.M. Thursday in Pond Hill Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Andy Bryant, Ryan Fraizer, Jeremy Crews, Lincoln Irons, Tom Fitzpatrick, Ben Norton, and Ray Allen Maynard. The family will receive friends from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Wednesday in the funeral home.

Those wishing may make memorial contributions to Gideons, P.O. Box 4, Athens, Tenn. 37371-004, St. Jude's Children Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, Tenn. 38101, or East Niota Baptist Church Building Fund, 305 Farrell St., Niota, Tenn. 37826.

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