Anna Bertille Bryan

Anna Bertille Carroll Bryan was called home on March 3, 2022 at The Hospice of St. Mary's. Bertille was born January 19, 1923 in Beachville, Md. to George Samuel Carroll and Anne Lucille Butler Carroll, both pre-deceased her. She was affectionately known as Bert and Mommie. She attended St. Peter Claver Catholic School in Ridge, Md.

In her early teens, she went to live with her Step Uncle and Aunt, Louis and Mary Smallwood in Baltimore, Md. She returned to St. Mary's County where she met the love of her life, John Frank Bryan. They were married January 3, 1944 in Baltimore, Md. and lasted 66 years until the death of John F. Bryan. God blessed them with seven children.

Bertille was considered the "Mother of Beachville" with all her family and friends. Whenever there was a problem and advice needed, she was always there to help.

She was a devoted and active member of St. Peter Claver Catholic Church; she loved arranging the flowers on the altar. Bertille was also a member of the gospel choir and was the secretary for Ladies of Charity and a member of the Knights of St. Jerome, and also the Church Coordinator for The Maryland Consortium for Hypertension Control in the Black Communities. She was also an active member of The Catholic Daughters of the Americas of St. Mary's County for 15 years, Alumni for the Oblate Sisters of Providence and member/volunteer of The Mother Mary Lange Guild Chapter of Baltimore, Md. She was also team leader of the Ridge Go-Getters 4-H Club.

She was a perfectionist in cleanliness and loved yard work with her plants and flowers. She would follow Dennis when he was cutting grass to make sure he would not cut her flowers. Bertille always had food for visitors and was very active to the point where her doctor gave her a list of Do's and advised her to sit and rest. However, she did not listen to the doctor's orders. Her favorite pastimes were watching The Young & Restless, Everybody Loves Raymond and game shows.

She was a proud Godmother of 14 Godchildren: Lorraine Carroll, Doris Butler, Delores Carroll, Angela Carroll, Cynthia Carroll Robinson, Brian Hopewell, Frank Smith Jr. and the Bryan's of Baltimore- Doris, Thelma, Mary Alice, Myrtle, Gloria and Bertha.

She leaves to cherish her memory six children, Eugene Bryan (Geraldine) of St. Inigoes, Md, Horace Bryan (Darnice) of Washington, DC, Phyllis Bryan of St. Inigoes, Md, Brenda (Tina) Bryan Harvey of Temple Hills, Md, Deborah Bryan of Waldorf, Md., Donald Bryan (Mary) of Lexington Park, Md; sister, Geraldine Carroll of Lexington Park, Md., 23 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, 13 great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Frank Bryan and son, Dennis Nathaniel Bryan Sr.; grandson, Nathanial Bryan and son-in-law, Ronald E. Harvey; brothers, Bernard (Tony), Eugene (Shorty), Edward (ED), Granville (Stick) and sister, Dorothy Barnes (Dottie).

Special thanks to her cousin, Helen Drake for calling Mommie every day and niece, Sylvia Carroll Rothwell and nephew Wayne Carroll for visiting on weekends, Phyllis Winston for her many gifts and Mary Young Bryan for assisting in helping with home care; Pamela Langley for Christmas poinsettias every year and Francine Hawkins for scheduling communion twice a month. The family gratefully thanks the Hospice of St. Mary's County and the nurses for in-home care and at the center. They stood by Bertille and her daughters to the end.

Family and friends will unite on Saturday, March 19, 2022 for visitation at 11:00 am until Mass of Christian Burial at 12 noon at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, 16922 St. Peter Claver Road, St. Inigoes, MD. Interment to follow in the church cemetery.