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Qualities
Gracious & Charming
Accommodating
Gentle & Kind
Wonderful sense
of humor
Intelligent & wise
Compassionate
Beautiful spirit
Warm & Loving
Generous
Strong
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Zelma Elizabeth White Bryant
'Bucky'
04/06/1917 - 12/14/2003
Lynchburg, Virginia
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Passions
Children
Grandchildren
Family & Friends
Listening
Laughing
Music
Discussions
Horses & dogs
Gardening
Baseball
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Special
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Zelma and her husband frequently sang the following song, the words having special meaning for him:
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With someone like you, a girl sweet and true,
I'd like to leave it all behind and go and find
a place that's known to God alone;
just a place to call our own.
We'll find perfect peace where joys never cease,
somewhere beneath the pale blue sky.
We'll build a sweet little nest somewhere in the west,
and let the rest of the world go by!
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Memories
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Comments below, which were included in Bucky's 2002 outgoing Christmas cards, are from 4 of her 5 grandchildren:
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Grandson MIKE:
I spent a Sunday afternoon with Bucky a few weeks ago at the Canterbury Home. I noted a few things that moved me quite a bit. It is a testament to grandma, how much the health care workers really love and care for her. With a limited ability to communicate, these people still sense and feel great love and affection for Bucky. Her family knows the same. Her kindness, generosity, and selflessness are still evident to all who spend time with her.
Grandma made my childhood special and had a huge impact on me while I was in college as well. Her house was a sanctuary for me on many weekends while attending VMI. Bucky never once even hinted that picking me up and returning me would be any burden. I love her for everything she has done for me.
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Grandson BRIAN:
Having been raised in the Bryant household from the age of two through high school, Zelma (here out referred to as Bucky, as she has always been to me) was and is a second mother to me. A GRAND mother indeed. She always avoided stepping on my mom's toes when it came to any sort of discipline or direction, instead providing kind words of encouragement and advice. I'll never forget the first and only time I was in a fight. I was in 5th grade and one of the school bullies started the fight (it was self-defense -honestly!:). A teacher broke up the fight before any real harm came to either the bully or myself and we were whisked away to the principle's office. As you can imagine, I was terrified at the thought of having to call home to have someone come pick me up. As luck would have it, Bucky was the only family member home and she drove up the road to get me. Not only was she not upset with me for what had happened, once she heard the story she was proud of me for sticking up for myself. Despite countless stories such as this, we didn't always completely see eye to eye. For instance, she never could understand what I saw in Jimi Hendrix's version of the "Star Spangled Banner (few pre-baby boomers would). But these are the sort of differences in meme-preference that truly make relationships interesting and never once did she imply that I was wrong in feeling or thinking as I did.
Of course, now, Bucky isn't able to provide her welcome advice or to encourage me in my endeavors. She doesn't have to. I can see it in her eyes when I visit my home in Lynchburg and it is there in her big, beautiful smile. One day, even my memories of her will be long faded but that smile will go on and on and on...
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Grandson JASON:
Every year, a few times each year, my parents and I would go to Lynchburg to visit. Although everyone always seemed happy to see me, Bucky always seemed to be the most excited. Even as we approached her house I'd always get a smile of anticipation on my face no matter what my prior mood. Bucky just had a happiness and excitement about her that I always looked forward to and that would always rub off on me and on others.
When I think of Bucky, I think of going to the barn. She used to tell me that Tony was "my" horse (it should be noted that Tony IS a horse, not someone who fell out of favor with Bucky). To a five-year-old kid having your own horse is a big deal. I still remember bragging to people that I had a horse (the other kids were, of course, jealous). Bucky always did have a way of making people feel special and knowing how to make people happy. Even though I can't see the excitement on her face when I come to visit, I know it's there on the inside and it still makes me feel the same way every time.
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Granddaughter HEATHER:
One of my earliest memories involves standing at the side of my Grandmother's bed, her welcoming smile beaming down at me. I remember the bed being so tall - high enough for my three-year-old imagination to transform it into a towering mountain I bravely scaled on the way to my Bucky. The reward at the top was always the same; crawling under the covers, snuggling up against her warm shoulder and then, the stories. More often than not I requested the tale of Peter Rabbit, not because of the story content, but because her arthritic fingers would become the rabbit, scampering about my belly as Peter ran. The stories and the tickling are what drew me up onto the bed, but it was the abundant love and attention from my Grandmother that sent me back again and again.
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Additional photos
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Personal Tributes
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01/23/2009
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I love you and miss your sweet voice and wise advice, your laughter and kindness, and so much more... You were the best friend your children could have. This world was a better, warmer, more loving place because of your presence. You were truly an angel on earth.
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Val
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09/17/2008
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Momma
I don't think there's another soul on earth that I've loved as much as you! You are my greatest blessing in life! I'm so proud that you are my Mother! Sharon
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Sharon Bryant
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07/08/2009
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To my Bucky on July 7, 2009:
I'm writing this as I sit in a cottage on Watchic Lake, listening to the loons and watching the reflection of the full moon splash against the water. Mom, I know you loved this place and wanted all of your children to love it too.
I have so many memories of Maine: Dow's Corner, Watchic, Steamboat Landing, the cemetery, family, the Markhams, clam bakes at Cornfield Point, the outhouse, thunder jugs, the bats, the woodshed chamber, sulky races, the Cram road, the moose and so much more! Such a rich life you gave us. I miss you and the warm fires you would have going in the mornings and the kitchen table full of blueberry muffins. I love you and thank you for all of these wonderful memories.
Love, Kathy
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Kathy Chenault
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~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connections on ABreathAway:
Marvin Bryant
- Husband
Pearl Dow Brooks
- Aunt
~~~~~~~~~~~~
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