Ophelia Chavous Bryant

“God took a walk through His garden and looked at how the flowers abound. As He strolled along the blooms…a special flower He found. On Wednesday, September 5, 2012, He reached down his massive hand and picked it from all the rest. He gazed at this special flower. He knew He picked the best! Dignity, elegance, beauty, courage and strength are all words that describe Mrs. Ophelia Chavous Bryant; a loving and God-fearing woman that touched the lives of many. She was a woman of extra ordinary grace and excellence sent to us by God.” She was surrounded by her loving family and friends at her home with Houston and Elaine Jackson, Jr. when God said “Well Done Thy Good And Faithful Servant.” Ophelia Chavous was born July 5, 1921 in Carrier Mills, Illinois to the late Terrell and Altha Chavous. She moved to Saginaw, Michigan in 1936 at the age of 15 years old. She was a graduate of Saginaw High School c/o 1939. She married the love of her life, Johnny M. Bryant, on February 24, 1940. He preceded her in death on May 9, 2003. She had been a faithful member of Bethel A.M.E. Church since 1936. She was a past member of Stewardess Bd. #1., The Busy Bee Club, “Queen” of the Retirees Club and the Travel Club. Ophelia worked at GM Grey Iron Foundry Local 668 (Metal Casting) in the core room for over 25 years. She was one of the women pioneers that opened doors for other women to work in the plant. She was a past member of F.W.C.C. Old Timers Club. She loved to cook, bowl, crochet, knit, garden, travel, watch the Detroit Tigers, bingo and had a flair for fashion until her illness of Alzheimers. She leaves to cherish her memory, two daughters and two sons; Tyrone M. (Dorothy) Bryant, Ahmad (Betty) Hasan, Elaine (Houston) Jackson, Jr. and Brenda J. Bryant-Reynolds, all of Saginaw, MI; grandchildren, Terrence (Jenn) Bryant of Phoenix , AZ., Tyler (Wendy) Bryant, Kenneth Whittaker, Pastor Leslie Lewis, Linda and Fenesia Hasan, all of Saginaw, MI, Alan and Cariton Hasan of Detroit, MI, Andrea (Anthony) McRuffin of Ft. Lee, VA., Houston (Fredrika) Jackson, III of Flint, MI, Omar J. Jackson of Saginaw, MI, Adrienne Reynolds of Lewisville, TX and Steven B. Reynolds of Saginaw, MI; many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; two sisters, Crystal Clark and Terrelline Jackson of Detroit MI; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and numerous special friends. She was also preceded in death by three sisters, Louise Harris, Frances Payne, and Nita Mae Chavous; 3 brothers, G.B. "Brother", Delmar, and Robert Chavous; brothers in-law, a sister-in-law and several nieces and nephews. Special thanks to nephew, Charles (Deborah) Brown; great-granddaughter, Hannah Jackson; her wonderful girlfriend Geraldine (the late William) Scott; friends, Sharon Phillips, Ella Simmons, Helen Ross and Carrie Winston; Pastor and Mrs. P. David Saunders and The Entire Bethel A.M.E. Church Family; Covenant VNA hospice staff, Deb Guerrero, Barb Murphy, Toni, Devica, Mary Sobol and the staff of The James E. Cartwright Care Center for their excellent care. Family hour will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 535 Cathay Street, with the funeral commencing at 11:00 a.m. Pastor P. David Saunders will officiate with entombent in Eastlawn Memorial Gardens. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 N. Jefferson Ave., on Monday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Ophelia Chavous Bryant

July 5, 1921 - September 5, 2012