Steve Bryan

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Frank Stevens Bryan, Jr., owner and President of Bryan Funeral Service would like to announce his unexpected death on Saturday, November 30, 2019. Steve was born in Wake County, November 28, 1942, to Jessamine Holder and Frank Stevens Bryan, Sr.. He was a former member the Garner United Methodist and Providence United Methodist Church, Swan Quarter, NC and current pastor of Columbia Christian Church Disciples of Christ. Following his graduation from Garner High School in 1960, he pursued a Mortuary Science Degree from Eckels College of Mortuary Science in Philadelphia, after serving a two year apprenticeship for embalming with Mitchell Funeral Home in Raleigh where he returned as a licensed funeral director and embalmer. Steve was well known and respected by funeral directors all over North Carolina, having served as the first inspector of funeral homes for the North Carolina Board of Mortuary Science in the 1960’s. His true calling for the profession led him to develop his dream to serve the Garner community and in 1977, Steve Bryan and Alex Lee and a group of family and friends created Bryan Lee Funeral Home in Garner. While in Garner, Steve also worked with his cousin, Jimmy Bryan in the insurance business and later purchased Bryan Insurance Agency. Active in the Garner community, Steve was a past president of the Garner Civitan Club and the Garner Chamber of Commerce. It has always been Steve’s desire to help others gave him the opportunity to explore new grounds and in 1986 he purchased the former Owens Funeral Home in Swan Quarter, NC. In Hyde County, Steve found a sincere and kind community where he cultivated many dear friends as he helped them in their most difficult times. His untiring work ethic and love for service allowed him the opportunity to help others and in 2007 he began to serve the community of Columbia in Tyrrell County, where he was able to provide the community with his expertise and professionalism, and in 2015 he expanded his services to the community of Plymouth, Washington County. His calling for service propelled him to provide his leadership skills in various organizations, he was past President and Executive Director of the Hyde County Chamber of Commerce, Past President of the Ponzer Ruritan Club, former Executive Director of the North East Workforce Development, President of the Tyrrell County Ministerial Association where he was instrumental in the development of the bag lunches for at need children, he was former Medical Examiner for Hyde and Tyrrell Counties and active member of Columbia Rotary Club. Steve not only had a heart for community service but above all he loved to serve his Lord and Savior, he was most happy and full of life behind the pulpit, speaking of God promises and his purpose for each of us, he never was afraid of sharing His word. God gave him the gift of words and kindness allowing him to reach many people during his time with us. A funeral service was held Thursday, December 5, 2019 at the Mattamuskeet High School Gymnasium. Burial was Friday, December 6, 2019 at Soule Cemetery in Steve’s adopted and beloved Hyde County. A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 14, 2019 at 2:00 pm at Bryan Lee Funeral Chapel, Garner. The family will receive friends following the service. Surviving are two sisters, Carol B. Snead and husband, Jerry, Mary B. Berry and husband, Robert; two sons, Edward A. Torres and wife, Suzanne of Swan Quarter, and Mario Torres of San Jose, Costa Rica, two grandchildren, Bianca N. Torres and Keegan N. Torres; two nieces, Susan S. Carroll and husband, Ted, Heather L. Ribar and husband, Joe; two great-nieces, Rebecca Carroll and Camille Carroll; one great-nephew, Alex Ribar all of Garner, and one aunt, Mary Lee Rule of Raleigh. Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions can be made in Steve’s memory to a charity of choice.