Verlyn Llewelyn Bryant, Sr. passed away peacefully on November 27, 2022 in Ashburn, VA at the age of 96, two days before his 97th Birthday. Verlyn is survived by his three children, Verlyn L. Bryant, Jr. and his wife Susan of Zebulon, NC, Debra Connelly and her husband Richard of Bethany Beach, DE, Sandy Horton and her husband Doug of Aldie, VA, his six grandchildren, Angela, Jason, Kathleen, Kerry, Carter and Erin, his great granddaughter, Avery, his great grandson, Luke, and his sisters, Verenia Earp of North Carolina, and Desi Roberts of Kentucky. He was preceded in death by his wife of 76 years, Mildred Madge Bryant.
Verlyn was born on November 29, 1925 in Catawba County, NC to Carter and Madge Bryant. He married his childhood sweetheart Mildred Bowman on November 18, 1945. After serving in the Navy and the Army, he joined the Army Corps of Engineers in 1957, eventually relocating to Springfield, VA in 1962. In 1965 he transferred to the Defense Logistics Agency and worked at Cameron Station in Alexandria, VA for the remainder of his career. When he retired in 1986, he had risen to the level of Director of Facilities Management, and retired with a total of 36 years of government service.
Verlyn was an accomplished Bluegrass and gospel musician, luthier and songwriter. He started playing the mandolin at an early age, and learned how to play many more instruments during his lifetime including the guitar, violin, banjo and bass. He enjoyed playing music at shows, festivals and private parties, making instruments, and spending time with his family and the many dear friends he met through his love of bluegrass music. One of the highlights of his musical career was meeting and playing with Bill Monroe who recorded a song he co-wrote with Jim Shumate in 1954 entitled “The Old Country Baptizing”.
A webcasted memorial service will be held at the Loudoun Funeral Chapel on Friday, December 16, 2022, at 12 PM. The in-person memorial service will be limited to family only. The webcast can be viewed live by visiting Verlyn’s obituary page on the Loudoun Funeral Chapel’s website on the day of the memorial service, and will be archived for delayed viewing.
Verlyn will be laid to rest at the Mount Zion Baptist Church Cemetery located at 1787 Cajah Mountain Road, Hudson, NC 28638 on Monday, December 19, 2022, at 12 PM. Everyone is welcome to join the family at the cemetery for a graveside service.
Vern was an amazing person. I met him iabout 15 years ago when I brought an instrument to be repaired to him. He and his wife, Mildred quickly became good friends with me. I would often bring my children when I was visiting them. My family was always amazed by their kindness and their musicality. Vern would even play music with my son. Vern and Mildred will forever be in my heart and the fondest of my memories.