Nellie (Pate) Bryant

“I can do all things through Christ who strengths me.”  Philippians 4:13 NKJV

Nellie Orilla Pate Bryant, affectionately known as Momma Nell transitioned from labor to Reward on Monday September 28, 2020 at 4:07 p.m. at UNC Chapel Hill, NC.  Mother was dedicated to her Faith in God, which was witnessed by all who crossed her path.  She truly fought this fight every step of the journey, when she grew tired she shouted with Joy “It is Well with My Soul, Hallelujah Anyhow”.  She was peacefully ushered into eternal rest by her Angel in Heaven and grandson, Christopher J. Sanders, with her children at her bedside holding her hand.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, October 3, 2020 at 11 a.m. at Wayne Memorial Park in Dudley.  Viewing will be held Friday, October 2, 2020 from 4 until 6 p.m. at Howell Funeral Home & Crematory in Goldsboro.

Nellie O. Bryant was born on February 5, 1939 to the late Onzer Lee and Lillie Mae Pate.  Nellie was the 3rd of twelve children, with sisters Luberta Pate & Earlene Panting and brother Donald Ray Pate, preceding her in death. At a young age, she committed to Christ in joining the Leventon Chapel Church in Stantonsburg, NC.  A student of Green County Schools, she graduated from Green Training School in 1959.    

On September 5, 1959, she married the love of her life, the late James Lee Bryant, Sr. From this union of 55 years, seven children were born. Sheliah Harriston (Steve) of Graniteville, SC, Sharon Jarman (Kenneth) of Winterville, NC, Wanda Sanders, Pikeville, NC, Karen Planas (David), Knightdale, NC, James L. Bryant Jr. (Connie), Wake Forest, NC, Gloria Bryant, (Nathaniel), Hinesville, GA, and Timothy Bryant (Kianta), of Wellington, FL.  Eighteen grandchildren:  Ray, Sylvester, Candace, VaNesha, Shanequa, Danielle, Brandon, Shaquenta, Malikah, Nathaniel II, Shaquenta, Emmanuel, Sheldon, James III, Natalie, Jordan, and Kailyn, with Jasmine Bryant and Christopher J. Sanders preceding her in death. Five great-grandchildren: Nathaniel III, Carmyn, Aiden, Mackenzie, and Noah.

She is survived by six sisters, Ruth Artis, Philadelphia, PA, Della Edwards (Lewis) Dudley, NC, Sallie Washington, Beech Island, SC, Joyce Johnson, Wilson, NC, Lula Bynum, Snow Hill, NC, Bonnie Suggs (Allen), Stantonsburg, NC and two brothers Charles Lee Pate, (Ozzie Lee), Wilson, NC, and Edward Earl Pate, Beech Island, SC.  A host of nieces, nephews and adopted children that she had the opportunity to impact in a positive way.

After marriage, Nellie joined Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist church in Goldsboro, NC, where she served faithfully for 45 years. She served on the Usher Board, loved singing to the glory of God and was instrumental in establishing Mt. Pleasant’s Choir #3.  In 2004, her life of Godly service was acknowledged by her being consecrated as a Mother of the Church. Nellie further impacted her community by working for the NC Cooperative Extension Service and its Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP).  For more than 23 years, Nellie taught parents and families home economics, specifically cooking, sewing, and gardening as well as growing the 4-H youth development program. Through these efforts, she left a lasting impression on many low-income families and children across Wayne County.

Professional services entrusted to the care of Howell Funeral Home & Crematory in Goldsboro.

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