Lillian Pearl Bryant

Lillian Pearl Robinson Bryant, 82, of Etowah, NC, died Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at Park Ridge Hospital in Fletcher, after a brief illness.

Born in Yancey County, NC, she was the daughter of the late Dave and Lillian Edwards Robinson, and wife of Willie T. Bryant who died in 2000. She was also preceded in death by her son, James Bryant.

She had resided in Henderson County for over forty years and was the first woman hired full-time by Van Wingerden Greenhouse Company. She was employed there for over 30 years and was their oldest employee. She was a member of Maple Hill Baptist Church.

She is survived by her loving family, her children, B. Rita Solesby of Troutman; Norman Bryant of Woodruff, SC; Glen Bryant and Larry Bryant, both of Mars Hill; Sheila Plott of Brevard; and Sylvia Staton, Patty Carson and Tony Bryant, all of Etowah; one sister, Avie Tipton; five brothers, Dallas Robinson, Ray Robinson, Dean Robinson, Albert Robinson, and Allison Robinson; twenty-one grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 11 AM Saturday, December 5, 2009 in the Kirby Memorial Chapel of Shuler Funeral Home. The Revs. Marvin Mathis, Joe Cox, and Robert Elliott will officiate. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be at 2 PM Saturday at Piney Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Burnsville.