Minnie T. Bryant

Obituary For Minnie T. Bryant

The memories are vivid!. The color is a vibrant hue of golden yellow. Like warm sunshine casting its rays on a mid-summer afternoon in August 2023, the glow of Minnie Theresa Elliot-Bryant shines bright and spilling full, spilling over and out onto all it illuminates!

As far back as Minnie's two children, Paula Yvonne and Michael Todd can remember, they shared their mom with the community in which she lived as well as all those whose lives she touched both locally and nationally. Minnie never met a stranger- from the person she encountered on a simple tip to the grocery store or the church member she sat next to on the pew on Sunday mornings, Minnie imparted wisdom to all who crossed her path. As such, at an early age, Paula and Michael came to know and understand that Minnie loved people, and people loved her and that she belonged to so many others as much as she be longed to her children; Minnie always made her children feel sale in her love and carved out a beanie special, relationship with them which lasted a life time, instilling within them her spiritual model-God

First!

When remembering Minnie, she once stated "what I hope people will say about me as they celebrate my life is that I reached out and helped them; that I was very giving. I don't give to be well spoken of; I give from the heart. My grandmother once told me that if I keep my hands closed, nothing can come into them to me, and nothing can go out of them from me to someone else.

Minnie Theresa Elliott-Bryant was born on August 19, 1938, in Sarasota, Florida to her parents Lee Elliott and Hester Mae Jenkins. She attended elementary and secondary schools in Sarasota, graduating from Booker High School. In her lifetime, Minnie garnered a myriad of professional skills and work experiences which included Guidance Secretary (Sarasota), Clerk (Miami Dade Community College), she retired from the Department of Corrections in February 1997 where she was a Correctional Probation Officer I and was the first African American female to retire from Pinellas County's Department of Corrections. After a short retirement, Minnie returned to the workforce where she served as a Community Outreach Coordinator which afforded her an opportunity to provide health education via the Pinellas County Health Department at Health Start of Pinellas County with its mission of reducing the infant mortality rate of unborn children. Minnie received an Associate degree prior to transferring to Barry College/Barry University, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Business Education while juggling the role of mother and ministers wife. She was a member of the Epsilon Beta Sigma Graduate Chapter Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority sisters were known as the “care bears”, because of their loving and caring spirits.

She took her sisterhood seriously by serving the community making generous donations and encouraging young woman to find God and purpose in their endeavors. Members of the sorority will forever love and cherish her memory. Minnie was a member of Light of the World International Church where her pastor Rev. Kevin Lumpkin appointed her to the Mother's Board.She was also a charter member of the senior choir!

Those Left to Carry on the Legacy

Precious memories will be cherished by her children Prophetess Paula Yvonne Farlin and Michael Todd Bryant; three grandchildren, Jared Elliott, Mikiayah Armani Bryant, Michael Bryant Jr., Two surviving siblings, Mr. David Jenkins (Gail), Mrs. Rose Marie Russell; three brothers Chief Overseer James Colvin Elliott, Mr. Walter Lewis Jenkins, Mr. Israel Paul Jenkins preceded in death, two sisters Cheryl Jenkins Sanders, Mrs. Ann Marshall preceded in death; sister-in-law Mary Jenkins; nieces and nephews, James Denard Elliott preceded in death, Prophetess Tamara Ellis (Dr. Kenneth L. Ellis), Terrence Elliott (Erika), Chenille Russell, William Russell Jr, Jillian Russell, Allison Russell, David Jenkins III, Angela Jenkins, Dennis Jenkins, Walter Jenkins, Chris Jenkins, and Edward Sanders Jr; great nieces and nephews Marcus James Ellis, Joycelyn Kenyatta Ellis, Terrence Colvin Elliott, Jamal James Elliott, Noah Proskourine, Barron Proskourine; special childhood friends, Booker High School Class of 1956: James Cornelius Brown, Yvonne Carnegie Brown, Mary Louise Chapman Lee Willie, Delores Marshall Lumpkin, Johnelle Brantley Goggins, Annie Bell Gilliam Scott, Theresa Campbell Edwards, Willie Beatrice Woodard, Pearline Abner Stevens, Marjorie Brantley Chapman, Janette Lampkin, O. C. Randolph, Helen Wilson Marshall, Dr. Cupid Reese Poe, Mable Furgerson (Edwards), Joyce Presha Lewis; God children, Andrea Yvette Allen, Amber Cain, Joy Blake, Samuel C. Elliott Davis, the late Dr. Gail Moore and a host of other relatives and friends.

When reflecting on her personal legacy to her children, Minnie wrote, "as a mother, what I hope my two children (Paula and Michael) have garnered from watching me is the strength I possess. My prayer is that the strength they possess is a direct result of what I have lived in front of them. Finally, just as necessary as water and air, so is my family to me. They are essential and needful. Paula, Michael, Jared, and Mikiayah are my lifelines! I especially enjoy watching my grandchildren form into adults and pray they become that kind, good people they are supposed to be. That is where I put the pressure on them to be the people they are supposed to be!"

How beautiful is this lovely month of August which holds the beginning and end of the life of Minnie Theresa Elliot-Bryant Born August 19, 1938, and leaving this lovely earth on August 19, 2023--her 85th birthday! As the August winds blew, as the summer day descended into the quietude of the evening, with a breath of anointed air, Minnie kissed this earthly world goodbye and transitioned to God's eternal one. What a full circle! What elegance! What kindness and immutable graciousness of God! Rest in Paradise, beloved Minnie!

Visitation will be held from 6:00pm-8:00pm on Fri., Aug. 25, 2023 at Light of the World International Church. Services will be held at 11:00am on Sat., Aug. 26, 2023 at Light of the World International Church. Burial will be held at Sarasota Memorial Park. Funeral arrangements by Jones Funeral Home.