Bryant, Barbara Reeves

Barbara Ann Bryant, age 78, of Charlotte, NC (formerly Pulaski, VA) passed away peacefully in the early morning of March 28, 2023 after a very brief illness. Barbara was preceded in death in 2018 by her loving husband of 54 years, William Howard Bryant, Sr. (Bill).

Barbara (Barb) was born on Sept. 8, 1944 in San Francisco, CA to George Lewis Reeves, Sr., and Angeline (Ann) Irene Reeves. The oldest of three and daughter of a career Naval electronics instructor, she enjoyed a strict but idyllic military upbringing in the Bay Area. She graduated from Arroyo High School in San Lorenzo, CA in 1962, and married Bill (a Naval radarman from Longview, Texas) in December, 1963.

After marriage, they started their family in Milpitas, CA in a tiny 1960’s tract home where kids roller skated and rode bicycles barefoot & unsupervised while moms on the block took turns doling out baloney sandwiches. In 1977 they relocated to Ogden, UT where they settled at the base of the majestic Wasatch mountains. In Ogden, Barbara worked for many years at JC Penney in the Ogden City Mall (more of a social outlet than a “job”), while the family enjoyed skiing and all that Utah’s great outdoors offered.

In 1992, their relocation to Pulaski, VA was bittersweet but when Barbara’s parents retired and left California to come live with them, their two decades in the lush southwest VA mountains became a truly cherished and happy period of their lives. They enjoyed many wonderful friends and neighbors who became “family”, and Barb & Bill were huge animal lovers and devoted many years volunteering with the Pulaski County Humane society transporting rescue animals and working in the shelter.

After retirement, they relocated to Charlotte, NC in 2012 to be closer to their daughter and son-in-law. Everywhere they lived, they could be found exploring area attractions, chasing a good buffet, supporting local businesses, and being very social and active in their community.

Barb was known for her vivacious outgoing personality, sharp wit, sarcastic sense of humor & infectious laugh. She was the quintessential “people person”, always eager to make new friends, and happy to chat with everyone she encountered. Barb never lost touch with anyone and always called to “catch up” just when you most needed a friend. She loved connecting with people and truly cared about others, celebrating their success and supporting them through their hardships. Her relationships were shaped by her pragmatic lifeview, happy disposition and positive attitude, and her realistic & practical approach to life’s challenges. She was notoriously impatient (“Let’s meet at 7:00” meant “I’ll see you at 6:30”), never sat still, and will be remembered with a smile for her animated personality, quirky sayings & expressions and uniquely “Barb” funny faces.

She lived her life in a perpetual state of readiness – ready to do someone a favor, catch the QVC Special Value deal, have a three hour chat with a long lost friend, or tag along on any outing. She never liked waiting, so it’s no surprise that she approached her short month-long illness with her purse strapped across her shoulder, eager to get going and cheerfully waving farewell to everyone slow to catch on that her little dinner party was over.

We are comforted by the thought of her reunion with Bill, imagining them together again on the boat. He is patiently tolerating her non-stop chatter and clunking around as he quietly trolls the coves where the bass like to hide in the low light of dawn. Shortly after sunrise, she’ll suggest they take a break for lunch. He’ll happily acquiesce; she always packed the most delicious sandwiches!

Barbara is survived by son William Howard Bryant, Jr., (Matthews, NC), daughter Jennifer Lynn Bryant (Scott Humes, Charlotte, NC), son John David Bryant (Harrison Township, MI), brother George L. Reeves, Jr. (Barbara, York, SC), Andrew John Reeves (Pulaski, VA), grandson Justin Fauland, Denver, CO, granddaughters Julia Bryant (Charlotte, NC) and Lena Bryant (Harrison Township, MI), brother in law Mike Bryant (Bettie, Longview, TX), sister-in-law Barbara Broyles (Lake Dallas, TX), sister-in-law Jan Bryant (Longview, TX), and nieces and nephews in CA and TX.

A private graveside service will be held at Salisbury National Cemetery in Salisbury, NC. Memorial donations are suggested to Halfway There Rescue, or to the animal rescue of your choice.

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