Lemuel Dawson Bryant's Obituary
Lemuel “Lem” Dawson Bryant, 82, of Franklin, went home to Heaven to be with his Lord. His travels and works are now completed here on earth. Those who knew him knew what a great man he was with his smile and witty humor. Lemuel was born in Rentz, GA on Jan 2, 1931; he was the son of the late Frank and Nettie Bryant. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his step-mother, Mamie, two brothers, Cecil and Wyman Bryant and his first wife Delcie Mae Bryant. During his teens he settled in Florida from Georgia with his parents and siblings. He started ranching in 1960 in Astatula, FL where he raised cattle and farming. He ventured into rodeo and one year won a prize buckle for calf roping that he requested to be handed down to his great grandson, Logan Dawson Bryant. Then in 1972 at the ranch he founded and started Lem Bryant Land Clearing, Inc. as President and owner. In 1982 he moved the construction business to Hwy 19, in Tavares, FL, where he continued to run his construction business until Dec. 2009 when he retired to the mountains of Franklin, NC. Lem loved living in the mountains spending a lot of time sitting out on the deck watching the deer and turkeys come up and eat corn he put out for them. He loved Bluegrass music attending many concerts and going to Gospel singings in the area. He was a member of the Cartoogechaye Baptist Church in Franklin, NC. He loved his church family and supporting the youth of the church. He leaves behind a lot of friends in Florida and the Mountains of North Carolina. He is survived by his wife, Maryfrances (Young) Terrell Bryant, Franklin, NC; sons Robert (Donna) Bryant of Carmel, IN, William (Cheryl) Bryant of Fruitland Park, FL; step-sons Ray (Ellie) Hurley of Lutz, FL, Keith (Shelly) Hurley of Safety Harbor, FL, Edward Hurley of Perry, FL; sisters, Jane (Horace) Hayes of Pearson, GA, Marie Cosby of Pearson, GA; brother, Quincy (Darlene) Bryant of Eustis, FL; grandsons, Lance (Julie) Bryant of FL, Clinton (Katheryn) Bryant of VT, Adam Bryant of FL; granddaughter, Amanda (Jay) Davis of FL; 4 great-grandchildren, Logan Dawson Bryant and Landyn Devyn Bryant of Eustis, FL, Emma and Lucy Davis of FL; 7 step grandchildren, Matthew, Dustin, Megan, Jennifer, AJ, Katelyn and Jessica Hurley all of FL and 7 step-great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Noah Foss of FL, Jackson, Levi and Isla Hazer of CA, Richie and Riley Davis of FL and many nieces and nephews. Memorial Services will be held at 7:00PM on Tuesday, August 6, 2013 at Macon Funeral Home, Franklin, NC with Pastors Josh Brooks and Carson Gibson officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. Final Funeral Services will be held at 2:00PM on Saturday, August 10, 2013 at Steverson Hamlin and Hilbish Funeral Home, Tavares, FL with Pastor Carson Gibson of Franklin, NC officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the Astatula Cemetery, Astatula, FL. In lieu of flowers, Lem’s wish was that memorial donations be made to Cartoogechaye Baptist Church Youth Fund, C/O Cartoogechaye Baptist church, Att: Kevin McMahan, 465 West Old Murphy Road, Franklin, NC 28734. His love for the youth of his church will now live on in his name. Arrangements have been entrusted to Steverson, Hamlin & Hilbish Funerals and Cremations, 226 E. Burleigh Blvd., Tavares, FL 32778, (352)343-4444. Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall.
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