James Lamar Bryan

Ward Wilson

Viewed: 1594

Posted by: Ward Wilson
Date: Jun 28 2014 9:36 AM

James Lamar Bryan, age 71, departed this life on Sunday, June 22, 2014, at Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Franklinton, LA, following a lengthy illness. A native of Abbeville/Dothan, AL, he and his family came to Bogalusa in 1973 when he was serving Super Five and Ten Stores as vice president of its chain, as supervisor of numerous locations, and manager of its Bogalusa store.  When Super Five and Ten closed its local store, Lamar became the first Manager of American Fabrics Manufacturers in Bogalusa, LA.  

 

 

He will be remembered as a new resident who immediately became involved in community activities beginning with church membership at Westside Emmanuel Baptist Church where he served in various offices; was one of the first organizers of the Magic City Carnival Association; served as president of Jeans and Queens Dance Club; as president of the Bogalusa Rotary Club, and as Director of the Bogalusa Chamber of Commerce.

 

 

For more than twenty years, until his health declined. Lamar and his wife Mary owned and operated B & B Tools of Louisiana, serving areas of South Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. 

 

 

All who knew and loved Lamar will remember that his life's motto was "God first, family second, then himself."  One dear friend adds that Lamar was faithful to run to - not away from - friends in times of need.

 

 

Tributes to the life of Lamar Bryan are enumerable.  A man of implicit Christian integrity, he "lived out" his salvation,; that is he honored the Holy Name of God in his daily life with a gracious spirit, a never-failing attitude of gratitude, love and joy unexcelled, and  with compassion serving others - not only as opportunity arose but also creating opportunities to serve.  Many Senior-seniors enjoyed a surprise visit by Lamar and his dear and joyful wife Mary bearing homemade soups, cakes, pies, cookies and leaving them refreshed physically, spiritually and emotionally.  Their shared gift of comfort and encouragement to these Seniors and to those experiencing grief always blessed the recipients.  In these "created" moments of service, Lamar would never take sole credit; his wife and he were a team not unlike ordained missionaries.  Also on holidays, friends could expect a visit bearing personal gifts created by them - that team again.

 

 

His integrity was unquestionable; his word indeed his bond.  Always a loyal, faithful and trusted friend, Lamar would stop whatever he was doing to help as the need required - not hastily, but to leave a problem either solved or a solution in place.  There wasn't much he couldn't do.  Summarily, he was always the "friend in need/friend in deed", and meeting the need out of a heart of pure love and joy.  No doubt his presence has already been missed because of health limitations; he will continue to be missed. Quoting a family member, "He'll be missed beyond measure until we see his sparkling blue eyes and distinguished 'gentlemen's' mustache - with that pleasant smile.

 

 

Lamar's parents, James Haygood Bryan and Linnie Louise Bryan, of Dothan, AL predeceased him.

 

 

Survivors are his wife of 51 years, Mary Jane Helms Bryan of Bogalusa, LA; his sons, Christopher Lamar Bryan of Bogalusa, LA, and Phillip Anthony Bryan of Dallas, TX; his daughter, Angelia Christine Bryan Pounds of Poplarville, MS; grandson, Harrison Lamar Pounds and his wife Megan of Clinton, MS, grandson,  Hayden Michael Pounds and granddaughter, Harlie Marlena Pounds both of Poplarville, MS; a sister, Sylvia Roberta Taylor, resident of Signature Health Care of Graceville, FL; a brother, Clyde Mitchell Bryan of Panama City, FL;  aunts, Tommie Henderson of Ozark, AL, Jeanette Carroll of Geneva, AL and Venarah Carroll of Dothan, AL. Also surviving Lamar are his very special sister-in-law, Marie Pennington of Boca Raton, FL and dear friends, the Melvin and Verbia Box Family, whose years of loving support and devotion remain treasured.

 

 

A funeral service will be held at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 25, 2014 with visitation being Tuesday, June 24, 2014 from 6:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M. and continuing Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. until time for the funeral service at 1:00 P.M.  Lamar's former pastor and dear friend Dr. David Leon Womack of Baton Rouge, LA will officiate, assisted by The Reverend Marcus Rosa, pastor of Westside Emmanuel Baptist Church of Bogalusa, LA.

 

 

Following the local funeral service, the family will travel to Dothan, AL, for a second funeral under the direction of Ward Wilson Funeral Home on Sunday, June 29, 2014 with visitation from 12:00 P.M. until the service at 3:00 P.M.  The Reverend Ralph S. Estes, Pastor of Mount Gilead Baptist Church in Fort Gains, GA will officiate, assisted by The Revered Raymond Holt, Pastor of The Berean Baptist Church of  Dothan, AL.  Of special interest to family and friends and a special blessing to Lamar's  family is the fact that Reverend  Estes performed Lamar and Mary's wedding ceremony 51 years ago - his first wedding ceremony to perform.

 

Graveside service and interment will be at Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Headland, AL.

 

 

The family extends grateful appreciation to all who served Lamar and Mary during his lengthy illness and death.

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