Sharon Rebecca Bryant

Sharon Rebecca Bryant, Chief of the Monacan Indian Nation and Lay Minister/Priest of St. Paul’s Episcopal Mission, completed her earthly journey on Tuesday, June 23, 2015, surrounded by her family. She was born on June 21, 1961, to Mary Frances Branham Bryant and Jesse Bryant, Jr.

Sharon was preceded in death by her parents and three half-brothers, Curly Bryant, Sandy Bryant, and Daryl Bryant.

She is survived by her sisters, Brenda (Glen) Garrison of Lynchburg, and Barbara “Gwen” (Danny) Johns of Madison Heights; two brothers, Mark (Rillie) Bryant of Madison Heights, and Jeffrey (Becky) Bryant of Amherst; one half-sister, Vicky Bryant of Appomattox. Also surviving are a very special aunt and uncle, Betty and Herbert Hicks of Madison Heights; Delilah Rossi of Concord, who Sharon loved like a daughter; three nieces, Kristy, Kandy, and Chelsea; their children, Brett, Mia, Olivia, Klay, and Finley; her special friends, Pam Thompson, Mary Newton, Susan Tyree, Judy Parrish, Marian Windell, Susan Mead, Ray Boyette, Terry King, and many, many other friends too numerous to print, plus many other aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Sharon Bryant was a strong woman. She was a woman of faith and her faith never wavered, not even when she was told she had terminal cancer. From an early age, Sharon was different. She saw the world through eyes that were clear and focused, and those who knew her knew that she would leave a mark on the world, and that she has done. Sharon touched people from all walks of life. Her love was not biased by race, gender, religion, or social class, but you had better not mistreat her people.

Some might say that Sharon was quick to speak her mind, and most would say you didn’t have to guess where you stood with Sharon. Even in the face of conflict, Sharon could and would still love you. Long before becoming the first woman to hold the position of Chief of the Monacan Indian Nation in 2011, Sharon worked tirelessly to restore pride and bring opportunity to “her people”. Sharon loved “her people”, the people of the Monacan Indian Nation, and she wanted them to know their history. She wanted to see her people recognized for their contributions to the real history of the Commonwealth of Virginia and she wanted to see them recognized by the Federal Government. Her people had been here for over 10,000 years, and Sharon felt the pain of that history. In the song she wrote, “The Monacan Anthem”, she asks the question, “How many times will they take our land away,” and she pleads, “Please leave my people alone.” These are the words of a woman who had the ability to feel the pain of the past, but remain hopeful for a brighter future. “The Monacan Anthem” was a song, but it was also a prayer. She was Chief Sharon Bryant, a woman with a song and a prayer in her heart.

Sharon Bryant had another group she called “her people”, and they were her church family. Whether you were a Bishop or the person who cleaned the sanctuary, Sharon loved you and prayed for you. You were her people and she wanted to serve you and God through St. Paul’s Episcopal Mission Church. She did it beautifully and with all the love she possessed.

Sharon understood community and felt the responsibility of taking care of it. Even after working long hours as a care-giver to others, Sharon could be seen visiting the elders of the Monacan Indian Nation, or taking food to the sick. It was her personal mission to make sure that no child woke up on Christmas without a new outfit and a new toy. She helped feed the hungry and spoke on behalf of her people on Capitol Hill and in Richmond. She represented the Monacan Indian Nation as a member of VITAL (Virginia Tribal Alliance for Life) and frequently spoke to churches and other civic groups about the Monacan Indian Nation.

Sharon had many talents, not the least of which was her ability to see a better future for the next seven generations of her people. It was Sharon’s dream to see the Monacan Indian Nation reclaim more of their ancestral land, to build affordable housing for the elderly, to have accessible health care, and to provide more economic and employment opportunities for her people. Yes, Sharon Bryant had a vision and her life was dedicated to turning it into reality, not for herself, but for her people. In her final days, Sharon’s prayers were for “her people” to love each other and to work together to ensure a brighter future for the Monacan Indian Nation.

The family would like to thank Centra Hospice and extend a special thanks to Jessica Clark, RN, for the great care given during Sharon’s illness.

The family will receive friends in the evening from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. starting  Thursday, June 25 until Sunday, June 28 at Sharon’s residence, 135 Ridgecrest Drive, Monroe, VA 24574.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date.

Those wishing to honor the life of Sharon should consider a tax deductible donation to St. Paul’s Episcopal Mission Church, 2009 Kenmore Road, Amherst, VA 24521, or to the Monacan Indian Nation, 114 Indian Mission Road, Amherst, VA 24521, where donated funds will be used to build the Memorial Ash Garden that Sharon designed herself.

Tharp Funeral Home, Madison Heights, is assisting the family. To send condolences please visit obituaries.tharpfuneralhome.com.

 

 

Click HERE to Play Sharon’s Tribute Video