James Andrew Bryant

James Andrew (Jim) Bryant, 50, of 938 Flat Road, Clifton Forge, went to be with our Lord and Savior on Wednesday, August 13, 2008, after a long battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family when he passed at his home. Jim was born April 30, 1958, in Clifton Forge, Va., a son of Celia J. Bryant, who resides on Iron Gate Hill, and the late Robert C. Bryant. He was an active member and deacon of the Iron Gate Baptist Church and was employed by Meade-Westvaco Corporation of Covington as boiler operator. He served in the Virginia Army National Guard for over 20 years and was a previous Eagle Scout. In addition to his mother, left behind to cherish his memory is his wife of 29 wonderful years, Debora E. Johnson Bryant, of the residence; two daughters, Katie Jo Mace and husband, Donald E. Mace, of Covington, and Karie Rae Bryant, of Glen Wilton; a son, Matthew Scott Bryant, of Glen Wilton; four sisters, Joy B. Chambers and husband, Bill, of Buchanan, Donna B. Gobble and husband, Hokie, of Fincastle, Mary B. Shorter and husband, Buddy, of Iron Gate, and Tammy B. Johnson and husband, Alan, of Eagle Rock; a brother, Joseph D. Bryant, of Fincastle; three very special grandchildren, Joshua Andrew Bryant and Madison and Maggie Mace; his father-in-law and mother-inlaw, Ralph and Mary Johnson, of Iron Gate; and a host of special nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and friends. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 16, 2008, in Iron Gate Baptist Church with the Reverend Hunter Hale officiating. Interment will follow in Iron Gate Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday evening, August 15, 2008, from 6 until 8:30 p.m. at Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge and other times at the residence. The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Iron Gate Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 193, Iron Gate, Va. 24448. To send condolences to the family online, please visit www.nicelyfuneralhome.com.