HELENA JUDITH AHERON BRYANT Helena Bryant, of 197 E. Aiken Road, Eden, NC, passed away of pneumonia Wednesday morning, December 26, 2012, at Stanleytown Health and Rehabilitation Center in Bassett, VA. She was 93. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, January 5, 2013, at St. Luke‚àö¬¢‚Äö?ᬮ‚Äö?묢s Episcopal Church. Immediately following, the burial will take place at the family site in Overlook Cemetery. An entrepreneur and intrepid traveler, Mrs. Bryant loved nothing more than to hit the road with friends and family, play bingo, organize reunions ‚àö¬¢‚Äö?ᬮ‚Äö?Ñ?? especially the River Rat/Pole Cat ‚àö¬¢‚Äö?ᬮ‚Äö?Ñ?? and show those around her a good time. Mrs. Bryant was born April 26, 1919, in Leaksville, NC, the daughter of the late Lucy Richards and Charles Harvey Aheron. She was a member of St. Luke‚àö¬¢‚Äö?ᬮ‚Äö?묢s Episcopal Church and a retiree of E. I. Dupont, where she worked for 37 years in the chemistry lab. A River Rat ‚àö¬¢‚Äö?ᬮ‚Äö?Ñ?? Mrs. Bryant graduated from Leaksville High School and eloped with Herbert Millard Bryant ‚àö¬¢‚Äö?ᬮ‚Äö?Ñ?? a Pole Cat ‚àö¬¢‚Äö?ᬮ‚Äö?Ñ?? at age 18. Mr. Bryant died in an accident at age 28, and Mrs. Bryant worked multiple jobs to provide for her two children, Millard and Judith. Mrs. Bryant studied nursing at Shakelford Hospital in Martinsville, where her studies were cut short by an accident, when she fell backwards down an elevator shaft while in service to a patient. Mrs. Bryant also survived colon cancer, broken hips and extensive back surgery. Mrs. Bryant traveled the world, taking her family and tour groups to China, Egypt, England, Hawaii, and Las Vegas among other places. Immediately after September 11, 2001, she traveled to Egypt to better understand the Arab culture. In her last days, she hated nothing more than being slowed down. Those who knew her agree that she was a ‚àö¬¢‚Äö?ᬮ‚âà?¨force of nature,‚àö¬¢‚Äö?ᬮ¬¨?? probably born a little ahead of her time. Mrs. Bryant is survived by her son, Millard Lee Bryant and wife, Gail Burgan Bryant, of Ferrum, VA; daughter, Judith Bryant Umminger, and husband, Bruce Umminger, of Chapel Hill; four grandchildren, Lisa Gail McMakin, Herbert Bryant, April Umminger, Alison Umminger Mattison; four great-grandchildren, Elizabeth and Emily McMakin, Margaret Mattison, and Ethan Bryant; and sister, Ruth A. Sisson and husband, Sam, of Lakeland, Fla. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her two brothers, Vercil and Thomas (Mack) Aheron; and husband, Herbert Bryant. The family will receive friends on Friday evening, January 4, 2013, from 6 to 8 PM, at St. Luke‚àö¬¢‚Äö?ᬮ‚Äö?묢s Episcopal Church. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.fairfuneralhome.com.
Judy and Millard So sorry to hear of Helena's passing .She was a great strong willed woman .We had some good times going to Bingo together .May god be with you at your time of loss
Rita McBride
Judy wishing you His Peace.
Linda Funderburk
To Judy, Ruth Ann, Millard, and all the family, I extend to you my heartfelt sympathies, and my thoughts and prayers are with you. The obituary barely touched on the wonderfully amazing life that Helena lived. I will remember her for all the great things she did and for the total of her accomplishments. Additionally, I will remember her for being a genuine, caring, considerate person who was a pillar in the community in which she lived. Everyone loved and respected Helena. She was a proud RIVER RAT, and she WILL BE Missed. My life has been enriched for having known her as a friend and neighbor.
Dennis R. Kendrick
What a beautiful, strong, and larger-than-life lady. I am so sorry for your loss.
Kathy Vreeland
really enjoyed know you and you were a dear friend
Harriett Smith
So sorry to hear of Helena's passing. Please know that the entire family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Ron, Codey & Lisa Shively Harbour
Dear Judy, Millard and Families, I am so sorry for your loss. Helena was an amazing woman. May God bless and comfort all of you.
Jackie Carter
We saw the obituary for Judy's mother in the Greensboro newspaper and want to extend our sympathy to Judy and Bruce and family. She sounds like a remarkable woman who lived a rich and full life. Our thoughts are with you. Donna Riechmann and Geoff Grenert
Donna Riechmann
Judy, My prayers are with you and your family. I remember your Mother's kindness to me. When we were in grade school at Leaksville Graded she gave me a ride to school on a very rainy day, which I have not forgotten. May the Lord bless you and yours. With Love and Prayers, Joyce
Joyce Brincefield Wall
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Although we never had the opportunity to meet her, she sounds like a wonderful person and led an active, fun life. Take care.
Nancy & Ken Cotter
To the family of Mrs. Helena, I would like to express my sincere condolence on the passing of your dear mother. She was such a giving and thoughtful lady and she touched many lives as she traveled through her own life. I am one of those most fortunate people whose life she touched. Her generosity and kindness never went unnoticed as she was there for my family at the time of passing of my mother, Betty Dawn Sheckles. I am one of the grandchildren of Sally and Cabot Sheckles and have known her all my life. She was a fine woman and will be greatly missed. I know the Heavens are rejoicing. May God bless your family. You were fortunate to have her as your mother. Kindest Regards, Kim McCollough
Kim Mccollough
Mr. Bryant, I would like express my condolences to you and your family on the passing of Mrs. Bryant. I know she will be deeply missed. Hold on to the good memories and know she has just gone to her heavenly home and you'll be with her again one day. Thoughts and prayers to all. Craig Smith
Craig Smith
Leave A Condolence Below For The Family Of Helena Judith Aheron Bryant:Fill out the form below and Fair Funeral Home will forward this message to the deceased's family and post it on our website. All condolences are reviewed for content before being posted live.
