Gwendolyn Bryant, age 82, entered eternal rest with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 20, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.

Gwendolyn, affectionally know as Gwen by family and friends, was born on January 10, 1941, in Hazard, Kentucky to the late William and Emma Baker. She was the youngest of 10 siblings. Gwen relocated to Akron, Ohio when she was 8 years old. She lived with her sister Juanita Robinson for a brief time and then reunited with her parents. She grew up on McKinley Avenue, attended Robinson Elementary School, and graduated from East High School, class of 1958.

Gwen married her high school sweetheart, John Bryant, Jr, on April 23, 1959. She first met John at Robinson Elementary, and of course she did not know then that he would become her husband. They were married 64 1/2 years. To this union they had 3 children, Pamela, Tracie, and Ronnie.

Gwen retired from the U.S. Postal Service with 30 years of service. Some of Gwen’s greatest qualities were fear of God, hard work, encourager, care for others, and wisdom in handling finances. She loved shopping and decorating, more so for others than for herself. Gwen was a recipient of the OBWLC (Ohio Black Women’s Leadership Caucus) award in Caregiving. She was also a faithful giver to World Vision, whose focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience the fullness of life.
Gwen exemplified enduring strength, dignity, and honor, which did not come from her amazing life, but rather they were a result of her reverence for God. She was baptized in Jesus’ name on March 15, 1979. She was a devoted member of First Apostolic Faith Church, where over the years she faithfully served in the Women’s Choir, Service League Ministry, Christian Women Axillary, and the Usher Board, all of which she passionately loved and enjoyed. Gwen knew that as a little girl she would follow in her mother’s footsteps and would live a life of holiness.

Gwen was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend. We have all been blessed that the Lord allowed us to be a part of her amazing life. Gwen simply loved her family and friends unconditionally. She was kind, generous, thoughtful – always caring and thinking of others. She was a praying woman of God, and she would often say that her prayer list was so big that she could not remember all the names, but that God knows them all.

In addition to her parents, Gwen was preceded in death by her daughter Pamela Cole, her siblings Marcus Baker, Thelma Payne, Juanita Robinson, William Baker Jr, Helen Saffel, Ralph Baker, Nellie Mills, Delores Lykes, Donald Baker, and mother-in-law Ruby Bryant.

To cherish her life, memory, and legacy, Gwen leaves behind her beloved and devoted husband John Bryant Jr, daughter Tracie (Cedric) Sommerville, son Ronnie Bryant. Grandchildren Lisa (Larry) Jacobs, Cedric Sommerville Jr., John (Ciara) Morgan Jr., Christian Bryant, and Coby Bryant. Great grandchildren Tayia, Taylyn, Ethan, JaNiyah, Chloe, Jaiden, Caiyleigh, Chandler, Charli, Messiah, Sade, Yuri, and Bella; earthly angels Salena, Tanisha, and Tonya; and a host of other family members and friends.
PROVERBS 31:28, 30-31 – Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

CONDOLENCES MAY BE SENT TO:
790 DANMEAD AVENUE
AKRON, OHIO 44305