Obituary for Grace Mae Bryant
On December 12, 1938 the world got a little brighter when a beautiful baby girl was born to Roy & Audie Porter in their family farmhouse in the foothills of Elliott County, Kentucky. She was the seventh child of nine and her name was Gracie Mae.
After a charmed country childhood that really did include walking miles to primary school with her brothers and sisters in all sorts of weather, Gracie excelled in her studies at Sandy Hook High School. She won awards in sewing, spelling, reading and cooking before being elected FFA Chapter Sweetheart and graduating in 1956.Gracie joined her parents in their move to Lorain, Ohio shortly after high school and eventually started working at the soda counter at Kresge's. It was there that she met a charming, handsome man by the name of Wayne Douglas Bryant - whom she ultimately married on February 2, 1959.Employment as a teller at Central Security Bank followed. Gracie's strength and pure bravery became evident at this job - as she was the victim of 2 armed robberies (the second while pregnant) during her tenure. Work took a backseat after Gracie became the best mommy first to daughter Monica Lee and 3 years later to son Charles Wayne. Gracie made time for friends in ceramics class and looked forward to her weekly league bowling "dates" with Wayne all while enjoying every minute of every activity her children were involved in. Ever present in the Bryant house was a love for Jesus and the message of salvation. Regular attendance at Tower Baptist Church was part of the family routine. Gracie embraced her role as a church Deaconess with tremendous pride and loved her church family. Once the kids were in school, Gracie worked at K-Mart before returning to banking at Lorain National. She finally landed at North Ohio Heart Center as a Certified Medical Assistant and billing trainer and was honored to be in a television commercial for the company as well. Church, work and family helped to ease Gracie's heartbreak after Wayne went to Heaven in 1998. With grandbaby number one on the horizon, Gracie retired in December 2010. She then assumed her most treasured role of Grandma to Cole Douglas in 2011 and to Quinn Brielle in 2020. After becoming a Grandma it was important for her to reaffirm her faith, and she was baptized on February 19, 2012 at Tower by Pastor Gary Dorsey. Over time Gracie battled uterine cancer, heart disease, severe arthritis, diabetes, and breast cancer. You would never know it until the last few years. It became harder and harder for Gracie to put on her beautiful smile and do all the things she desired. Her light was dimming. With broken hearts for us but jubilation for her, we share that Gracie went to Heaven on October 26, 2023. We can only imagine the joy on her face as she entered the presence of the Lord and reunited with her beloved husband; her parents; her siblings Ray, Melvin, Mollie, Don, Liddie and Johnie; and her grand puppies Spencer & Peyton.
Left to mourn are daughter Monica Deitz (Greg) of Amherst, OH; son Charles of Lorain, OH; grandson Cole Deitz; granddaughter Quinn Deitz; grand puppies Julya & Dylan; sister Emma Mann of Lorain, OH; sister Wanda Lewis of Stephens, Elliott Co, KY; sister-in-law Diana Bryant Maderia (Larry) of Amherst, OH; many nieces & nephews; fellow UK sports fan and special cousin James Edward Porter; and a host of friends.
Please visit with the family from 4 to 8pm on Friday, November 3 at Hempel Funeral Home and wear Gracie's favorite color purple if you can. Her homegoing service is at 11am on Saturday, November 4 at Tower Baptist Church, 1313 Tower Blvd in Lorain with Pastor Dorsey officiating.
A rebroadcast will be available at www.hempelfuneralhome.com.
Thank you for reading about Gracie our very own Amazing Grace. We love you mommy! All the days of our lives, we love you. For those unable to attend please visit the funeral home's website to share a memory and sign the guest register, www.hempelfuneralhome.com.