Juanita M. Bryant

1928 - 2025

Juanita M. Bryant

July 2, 1928 - June 15, 2025

Boonville, North Carolina - Juanita Martin Bryant of Boonville and Raleigh, North Carolina, passed away on June 15, 2025 after nearly a century of women's advocacy, dedicated public service, and experienced leadership.

Juanita was born to Julia Buffington and George W. Martin in Rowan County, NC on July 2, 1928, the day her father was laid off from Southern Railway. Her parents returned home to rural Gillsville, Georgia until George was called back to work and moved the family to Winston-Salem, NC. Juanita's bond with the Buffington and Martin families strengthened throughout her childhood as she spent holidays and summers with her cousins. She led her immediate family to annual family reunions in Georgia until her health declined in 2024.

Winston-Salem Public Schools and Catawba College educated this life-long learner. In her youth, Juanita joined every club and church activity for which she was eligible, earned silver dollars tap dancing during intermission at the local movie theater, and was a majorette for R. J. Reynolds High School. Her love of history was enhanced by many Southern Railway trips, including riding to Washington for the dedication of the Jefferson Memorial. She also remembered standing by the railroad tracks as President Roosevelt's flag-draped coffin made its way from Georgia to DC.

Growing up in Winston-Salem, marrying Frank Bryant and moving to the Bryant family farm, Juanita became immersed in the rural community. She attended Yadkin County Farm Bureau meetings, took Cooperative Extension classes, worked in personnel at Chatham Manufacturing, led the PTA, Bible School, and the Girl Scout Brownie Troop, attended her children's sporting events, was active in Yadkin County Democratic Women, and joined the Boonville Woman's Club. With commitment to her family, her faith, her friends, and the federation of women's clubs, she remained steadfast in her efforts to help others succeed.

Juanita's greatest achievements included raising her family on the Bryant dairy and tobacco farm in Boonville, becoming North Carolina Federation of Women's Clubs President (1968-1970), Executive Director of the Council on the Status of Women's Leadership Development Program (1978-1982), serving as International President of the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC, 1982-1984), working as Development Director of the YWCA of Wake County (1985-1993), and advancing women's initiatives statewide as Executive Director of the North Carolina Council for Women (1993-2000). While at the NC Council for Women, Juanita was selected as "Tar Heel of the Week" by The News & Observer. Juanita received the Distinguished Citizen of North Carolina Award in 1982, and the Order of the Long Leaf Pine from Governor James B. Hunt, Jr. in 2000.

Juanita retired from state government in 2000 and maintained homes in Boonville and Raleigh, continuing her active life in civic and community service. She still held memberships in the Boonville Woman's Club and The Woman's Club of Raleigh, the Women's Forum of North Carolina, Wake County Democratic Women, North Carolina Democratic Women, and WomenNC.

Always fashionable and beloved by many, Juanita was especially honored to serve as GFWC's International President, traveling extensively and working with national and international leaders while living in Washington, DC. She founded and established the GFWC Women's History and Resource Center adjacent to GFWC International Headquarters.

"Mrs. Bryant is one of North Carolina's most knowledgeable citizens in the area of women's issues," noted Governor James B. Hunt, Jr. when he appointed her as Executive Director of the North Carolina Council for Women in 1993. Governor Hunt also asked her to lead the North Carolina delegation of 48 women to the UN Conference on Women to Beijing, China in 1995, and she was later selected to lead a delegation to China as part of the U.S. Ambassador's Program - People to People.

Juanita was a trailblazer. She was the first woman in North Carolina to be appointed by a Governor to chair a state board or commission, appointed by Governor Bob Scott to chair the State Youth Advisory Board. Governor Terry Sanford appointed her to the Roanoke Island Historical Foundation and the NC School of the Arts in Winston-Salem, and to a task force to create the NC Commission on the Status of Women. Governor Dan K. Moore appointed her to a committee of the NC Education Commission, and Governor Jim Hunt appointed her to serve on the NC Domestic Violence Commission. Juanita also served on the NC Center on Crime and Punishment Commission, the NC Museum of Natural Sciences Board, the NC Consumer Council, and the Historically Underutilized Businesses Committee.

Juanita was predeceased by her husband J. Frank Bryant of Boonville, her parents George and Julia Buffington Martin of Winston-Salem, her brother William (Bill) Thomas Martin of Winston-Salem, her brother Julian Richard (Dick) Martin of Winston-Salem and sisters-in-law Jackie Dunstan Martin Boaz and Nancy Lytle Martin, and brother-in-law Ed Wall of Rural Hall.

The family matriarch, Juanita is survived by her beloved children: Steven Franklin Bryant and Dawn Stroud Bryant of Raleigh, Debra Martin Bryant of Raleigh, and Jay Stanley Bryant and Denita Reece Bryant of Boonville and Purcellville, VA; her grandchildren: Kathleen (Katie) Bryant and Brian Hall, Kelly Bryant Smith and Jon Smith, Kori Reece Kelly and Mike Kelly, George Bryant, and Barbara Claire Bryant; her great-grandchildren: Cameron and Hayden Smith, and Liam and Sloane Kelly; her dear sister Judy Martin Wall of Rural Hall, her sisters-in-law Ann Livengood Martin of Winston-Salem and Gaye Bennett Bryant of Goldsboro; special Martin and Bryant nieces and nephews; and Georgia cousins.

Family visitation will be held on Sunday, June 22, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at the Gentry Funeral Home in Yadkinville, NC. The funeral service will be held at Boonville United Methodist Church on Monday, June 23, at 1:00 p.m., followed by burial in the Boonville Cemetery.

A reception and celebration of Juanita's life will be held on July 20 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at The Woman's Club of Raleigh, 3300 Woman's Club Drive in Raleigh.

The children sincerely thank Benny and Linda Poindexter of Boonville, Tameka and Sherri Bazemore of Raleigh, Transitions LifeCare of Wake County, and her close friends in the woman's club for their care and support.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Boonville United Methodist Church, 116 North Carolina Avenue (PO Box 178), Boonville, NC 27011, or to the GFWC Women's History and Resource Center, 1734 N Street, NW Washington, DC 20036.

Please see additional information about Juanita's many achievements in the obituary on the Gentry Funeral Service website: www.gentryfuneralservice.com.