Mary Brigham Bryant

MARY BRIGHAM BRYANT Mary Brigham Bryant, 88, a 60-year Sebring resident and civic leader, passed away Sunday, November 30, 2008, at the home of her daughter, Polly Bryant Uselton, in Houston, Texas, after a brief illness. In addition to Polly, her other daughter, Nancy Bryant, her son-in-law, Jack E. Uselton, 11, and her only grandchild, Maryanne Uselton, were with her for the Thanksgiving holiday. Mrs. Bryant was born in Connecticut in 1920 and moved to Winter Haven, Fla., at age five with her parents, prominent citrus grower and educator Francis Brigham and his wife, Frances. She attended Dana Hall Preparatory School and graduated from Wilson College, where she earned a bachelor' s degree in political science. After a brief career as a buyer for B. Altman in New York City, N.Y., she entered the University of Florida Law School. She received her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree in 1947 and was soon admitted to the Florida Bar. She was among the earliest female graduates from the University of Florida Law School. Mary married fellow law student Frank Elihu Bryant Jr. of Coral Gables, Fla., in 1947 and settled in Sebring, where Frank joined the law firm of Fairfax Haskins. He later became a partner in Haskins and Bryant. He served as the attorney for the Highlands County School Board for many years and was active in the founding of South Florida Junior College in 1966. Mary took a leadership role in city government activities, including the Sebring Public Library and the Historic Preservation Commission, but her most extensive involvement was in the 1981 founding and long term oversight of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). She also was appointed to a seat on the Sebring Airport Authority. She was a director of the Rose Keller division of the Children' s Home Society and of Heart of Florida Girl Scouts. She and husband, Frank, were both very active in the Automobile Racing Club of Florida and in the early years of the Grand Prix 12 Hours of Sebring. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Sebring and The Readers' Club. Mary was preceded in death by a daughter Carol, 3; and her husband, Frank, who died in 1983. In his honor, Mary established The Frank E. Bryant Jr. Scholarship, which is awarded annually to a deserving UF Law School student. This scholarship program is self-perpetuating and gratefully welcomes endowments from any interested persons. In 1991, Mary married Mac Kay Shantz, a childhood friend. They enjoyed dividing their time between her home in Sebring and his homes in Nassau, Bahamas, and Alexandria Bay, N.Y. After "Kay" died in 1997, Mary returned to her home and gardens on Dinner Lake. In addition to those present with her in Texas, Mrs. Bryant is survived by her son, Frank Elbridge Bryant of New Smyrna Beach, Fla.; her devoted friend, Dr. Patty McCall; her sister, Louise B. Hardy; nephews, George Hardy, Frank Hardy and Peter Hardy; niece, Debbie Simonetta; and step-children, Alison Shantz Albury, Roger Shantz and Frederick Shantz. A memorial service will be conducted at 3 p.m. Thursday, December 18, 2008, at First Presbyterian Church in Sebring. In honor of Mary Bryant, donations may be sent to the New Testament Church and mission in Sebring, or to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements have been entrusted to Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home, Sebring, FL 33870 (863) 385-0125