Beloved Community Matriarch Mattie Bryant Passes Away at 82

Leesburg, FL, USA - On June 24, 2025, Mattie Gandy Bryant, an 82-year-old beloved member of the community, peacefully passed away at Prisma Health Tuomey. Born on February 18, 1943, in Leesburg, Florida, she was a treasured daughter to the late James Gordon Gandy and Ruth M. Gandy. Her legacy continues through her eight children, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and two sisters, Shirley Rowen of North Carolina and Virginia Lewis of Florida.

Mattie’s dedication to her family was evident as she demonstrated unwavering love throughout her life. She was surrounded by a supportive family that included special caregivers Parker Johnson and Tristian Singletary. While the family mourns her loss, they cherish the memory of Mattie’s nurturing spirit and the love she shared with everyone around her. Unfortunately, she was preceded in death by her sister, Harlene McDuffie.

Final Farewell

The funeral service for Mattie will take place on June 27, 2025, at 3 p.m. in the chapel of Stephens Funeral Home, officiated by Rev. Mike Murdoch. With visitation scheduled from 2 to 3 p.m. at the same location, family and friends will have an opportunity to gather and share their memories before the service begins. For those who hope to attend, it’s advised to arrive early to find seating, as the tributes to her life promise to be heartfelt.

Burial will follow at the Grace Christian Fellowship Church Cemetery, a place dear to Mattie’s heart, where many cherished memories were made. Pallbearers include her family members John Hickman, Joey Hickman, Gilbert Hickman, Charles Hickman, Alex Hickman, and Tristian Singletary, all of whom symbolize the family bonds that Mattie treasured.

Honoring a Life

Grace Christian Fellowship Church emphasizes the significance of memorial services in their community, highlighting how the ceremony offers comfort and support during a difficult time. Often, families opt for late morning or early afternoon services, allowing for sufficient time for calling hours—an essential part of honoring a loved one’s life as reflected in the practices described by the church’s guidelines. For Mattie’s service, family members have made necessary arrangements to ensure the ceremony reflects her individuality while providing a space for shared remembrances among attendees Grace Christian Fellowship Church reports.

There’s something to be said for coming together after a loss; the grieving process can often feel isolating. The act of sharing memories during formal or relaxed memorials is vital to healing. Having a proper ceremony allows those left behind to express their emotions and find solace in each other’s company. As noted by Wiecki Skipchak Funeral Home, families often underestimate the importance of a ceremony, yet it plays a fundamental role in the healing journey. The days following a death can bring a strong desire for simplicity, yet creating a meaningful farewell is one of the most beautiful gifts a family can give Wiecki Skipchak Funeral Home reminds us.

A Lasting Tribute

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorial contributions to be made to the Daisy Gamble Mission House, fostering a sense of community spirit that Mattie loved so much. Arrangements for the memorial have been thoughtfully handled by Stephens Funeral Home & Crematory, located on North Church Street in Manning, ensuring that everything is in place for a heartfelt goodbye on June 27th.

In these moments of grief, the legacy of Mattie Gandy Bryant will not be forgotten, as her family and friends celebrate the warmth and love she shared throughout her 82 remarkable years. Though she has left this earthly realm, her spirit continues to shine brightly through the lives she touched.