Alexander "Sandy" McCorkle Bryant, Sr.

October 31, 1936 - October 12, 2024

ORANGEBURG -- Alexander "Sandy" McCorkle Bryant, Sr., 88, of Orangeburg, SC passed away peacefully at home on October 12, 2024. Sandy is survived by his wife of over 68 years, Caroline Kelley Bryant.

A graveside service was previously held at Memorial Park Cemetery in Orangeburg, SC. Honored to serve as pallbearers were Mackie Bryant, James Roberson, Ryan Swaim, Darby Hallman, Robert Wall, and Sean Bendig. Honorary pallbearers were the former employees of Orangeburg Furniture Exchange.

Sandy was born on Halloween, 1936 in Loris, SC to the late Douglas Randolph and Francis McCorkle Bryant and moved to Orangeburg at just 2 months of age. Sandy graduated from Orangeburg High School where he played the trumpet in many bands and was a member of the golf team. Upon graduation, he attended the University of South Carolina where he was fortunate to play golf for the Gamecocks and be a member of his beloved Sigma Chi Fraternity. While at USC, Sandy met his wife, Caroline Elizabeth Kelley of Olanta, SC, in his Spanish Class and they married on June 14, 1956. After graduating from USC, he began his retail career in the furniture industry as a member of his family's business. In 1986, Sandy became the owner of Orangeburg Furniture Exchange and wrote his own computer program to record the accounts receivable. The store continued as a family tradition with his wife and each of his children and grandchildren working by his side at different times. "Mr. and Mrs. Furniture Exchange" worked together for six days each week until their retirement at the age of 87 and 88. The love they shared for their long-time customers and the Orangeburg community was evidenced by their desire to continue working at "the store". Many memorable times were spent sitting on the store's couches trading jokes with his sales representatives, his friends, his family, and coworkers. Sandy served a term as the President of the Southern Home Furnishings Association and was humbled to have received the Willis Award for his work in the furniture industry.

Sandy was a life-long member of the First Presbyterian Church where he and each of his children (and some of his grandchildren and one of his great-grandchildren) were baptized as infants. He served his church as the Sunday School Superintendent, a Youth Director, and Chairman of the Deacons. In his beloved community, he served the United Way of Orangeburg, the Downtown Orangeburg Revitalization Association (DORA), and the Orangeburg Chamber of Commerce. Each month for over 50 years, Sandy looked forward to attending the Second Saturday Steak Club to enjoy a tasty ribeye and visit with friends. Sandy's love for the game of golf led him to become a member of the Orangeburg Country Club at a very young age and would eventually lead him to his beloved home on the 13th fairway.

One of Sandy's proclaimed favorite activities was taking his grandchildren out to eat in local establishments where he would rave about the delicious food and wonderful service. He was always grateful to the many kind servers he encountered. But more importantly, he truly enjoyed the hot dogs with chili at his grandchildren's sporting events, which he faithfully attended until the last one graduated. As he grew older, he would love to spend his Sundays after church riding around the Orangeburg County community.

In addition to his wife of the home, Sandy leaves behind to cherish his memories his son-in-law, John Wesley "Mac" Moore of Lexington; his son, Alexander McCorkle "Alex" Bryant, Jr. (Libby), and daughter, Caroline Kelley Bryant Wannamaker (Rusty). He also leaves behind his grandchildren: Caroline Moore Roberson (James), Amanda Mims Swaim (Ryan), Jaquelyn Elizabeth Bryant, Fran Moore Hallman (Darby), Alexander McCorkle "Mackie" Bryant, III (Karen), Kayla Mims Wall (Robert "Deuce"), and Robin Caroline Mims (Sean), his step-grandchildren, Dan Moore (Tracy), Russ Wannamaker (Cara), and Clare Way (Dakota); his great-grandchildren: Madalyn, Anna Caroline, and Grayson Smith, Ryker Swaim, Darby Hallman, Jr., John Robert Cope, Ras Swaim, Charley Hallman, and Joseph Bryant. He leaves behind a brother, Doug Bryant (Peggy); sisters-in-law: Kay Kelley and Eilleen Kelley, and many special nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his daughter, Rebecca "Becky" Bryant Moore

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 536 Stanley Street, Orangeburg, SC 29115, the Orangeburg Calhoun Free Medical Clinic, P. O. Box 505, Orangeburg, SC, 29116, FCA Tri-County, P. O. Box 2838, Orangeburg, SC, 29116, or to a charity of one's choice.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to his caregiver, Shirley Love, for her tireless efforts to nurture and care for him. We would also like to thank the many loyal OFE customers who will always be considered family.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.dukesharleyfuneralhome.com or https://www.facebook.com/Dukes-Harley-Funeral-Home-and-Crematory-304968586272868

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Published by The Times and Democrat on Oct. 19, 2024.