Grady "Papa Claus" Bryant

GRIMES. Mr. Grady "Papa Claus" Bryant, a resident of Grimes, died late Saturday afternoon, September 1, 2018 in a Dothan hospital. He was 69. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, September 4, 2018 at Rainbow Meadows Baptist Church, Napier Field Road, Dothan with Reverend Don Clark officiating. Interment, with military honors, will follow in Gardens of Memory, between Headland and Dothan. Derek L. Wright and Fuqua-Bankston Funeral Home and Cremation Services are in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. Monday at the funeral home and also one hour prior to services on Tuesday at the church. Mr. Bryant was born in Auburndale, Florida and grew up in Coffee County and attended school there. He was an Army veteran serving during the Vietnam War. Mr. Bryant was the Owner/Operator of Bryant's Masonry for most of his adult life until retirement. He was well renowned for his skilled masonry work throughout the tristate area. Grady had the honor of not only working for but also becoming great friends with many of the finest home builders in the area. He served many years as a council member for the Grimes community. Grady was an active member of Rainbow Meadows Baptist Church in Dothan and served several years as a deacon. He will be remembered for his love of life, humor, humble nature and most of all for being a Santa helper. He was known as Papa Claus to many; he touched countless lives young and old with this special gift. Grady fit the calling of the Santa helper with the natural beard, twinkling eyes, rosy cheeks and round belly. He was Santa to many in the Wiregrass area. He will also be remembered for his love of the outdoors, being an avid hunter, loving to fish and an Alabama football fan. Roll Tide! Mr. Bryant was preceded in death by his mother, Sybol Whittaker, a brother, Jerry Bryant; two sisters, Madge Sullivan and Trena Spears; mother-in-law, Jewell Floyd. Mr. Bryant is survived by the love of his life, Wanda Bryant, whom he was married to for forty nine years; his son, Jerrad Bryant (Sandra Shehane Bryant), Newville; his daughter, April Harris (Jerry Harris), Ozark; three very loved grandchildren, Madison Savannah Bryant, Dale Wyatt Harris and Abbygail Jewell Harris; three special grand dogs- J.A.D.A. Harris, Saban Bryant and Crimson Bryant; a special aunt, Madge Grantham, Enterprise; sister-in-law, Brenda Barnes (Frankie Barnes), Gordon, and two brothers-in-law, Ronnie Glover, Headland and Mike Glover, Newton; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews; also cherishing his memory and good times shared is hunting and fishing buddies, Timmy Adkinson, Gene Turvin, Roy Smith and good friend Scott Chatham. The Bryant family would like to thank Dr. Diana Mancuso, his family physician for over thirty years and a special thank you to the wonderful ladies in her office in addition to Dr. Latimer; Southeast Alabama Medical Center Pulmonary Therapy Group, Sandra Galloway, his nurses and friends he acquired there. Lastly, a special thank you to all of Papa Claus' Facebook friends and family for their continued support and prayers. Condolences may be offered at www.fuquabankston.com