Mildred Madge Bryant's Obituary
Mildred Madge Bryant (née Bowman) passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 9, 2022 in Ashburn, VA at the age of 94, five days before her 95th birthday. Mildred is survived by her husband of 76 years, Verlyn, her three children, Verlyn L. Bryant, Jr. and his wife Susan of Zebulon, NC, Debra Connelly and her husband Richard of Bethany Beach, DE, Sandra Horton and her husband Doug of Aldie, VA, her six grandchildren, Angela, Jason, Kathleen, Kerry, Carter and Erin, and her great-granddaughter, Avery.
Mildred was born on January 14, 1927 in Caldwell County, NC to Edgar and Bertie Bowman. She started helping with household and farming chores at an early age, and worked at the family-owned store while attending school. After Mildred graduated from high school she began working for the Fairfield Chair Company in Lenoir the following day.
On November 18, 1945, Mildred married her childhood sweetheart, Verlyn Bryant. She worked at the Fairfield Chair Company for 5 years making her way up from the factory floor to the office, and was selected to travel to NYC to purchase fabric for the company. After building and furnishing their first home together, Mildred quit work to start a family. Verlyn’s job with the Army Corps of Engineers took the family to Virginia and Florida, finally settling in Springfield, VA in 1962.
Mildred was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and was thrilled that her second great-grandchild would be arriving in June. Mildred was a talented cook and was known for her perfect southern style biscuits. She enjoyed spending time with her family, playing the guitar, crocheting, and traveling with Verlyn to bluegrass shows, festivals and private parties. Although Mildred rarely played on stage, she was a talented guitar and upright bass player preferring more informal jam sessions with family and the many dear friends she and Verlyn met through their love of bluegrass music.
A webcasted memorial service will be held at the Loudoun Funeral Chapel on Friday, January 28, 2022 at 12:00 PM. Due to Covid concerns the in-person memorial service will be limited to family only. The webcast can be viewed live on Mildred's obituary page on the day of the memorial service, and will be archived for delayed viewing. Mildred will be laid to rest at the Mount Zion Baptist Church Cemetery located at 1787 Cajah Mountain Road, Hudson, NC 28638 on Monday, January 31, 2022 at 12 PM. Everyone is welcome to join the family at the cemetery for a graveside service.
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