Daity Helena Goodrich Bryson was born on Wednesday, February 3rd, 1932, to Henrietta Louise Robinson Goodrich Allen and William Lawrence Goodrich, Sr., in Fayetteville, TN, the eldest of five children. She was the valedictorian of her graduating class of 1950 at West End. Helena married her high school sweetheart, Bobbie Joe Bryson, on Wednesday, December 26th, 1951.
In October of 1957, while living in Washington, D.C., Helena culminated her long search for Bible truth when she first learned God’s name to be Jehovah. She became and continued to be an avid student of the Bible. Helena was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, along with 7,135 others, on Wednesday, July 30, 1958, at Orchard Beach, NY during the Divine Will International Assembly. Thus began her 57 years of dedicated service in Bible education work as a member of congregations in Washington, D.C., Wiesbaden, Germany, Colorado Springs, CO, North Highlands, CA, and Fayetteville, TN. She was always present at Christian meetings and conventions and encouraged her family and friends to do the same.
She passed away in her Fayetteville home on April 24th, 2015 after a brief illness. Preceding Helena in death were her parents, her husband, and her brother William Lawrence Goodrich, Jr. She is survived by her children, Rodney (Rita) Bryson of Murfreesboro, TN, Roderic Dean (Deborah) Bryson of Columbia, TN, Regina Louise Bryson of Huntsville, AL; her brothers, Robert Wayne Pentecost, Anthony Joel Allen, and Carty Edward Allen; cousins, Donald Clark and Theresa Patton; spiritual daughters Ann Dora Young and Geraldine King; many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.
Expression of Thanks
Our heartfelt appreciation is extended to all for a wealth of love, support, and concern graciously shown by so many of you.
A special expression of gratitude goes to Lincoln Medical Home Health & Hospice; the staff of Maury Regional Medical Center; Lawrence K. Wolfe, MD; David M. Turner, MD; Amit A. Choksi, MD; and James W. Richardson, Jr., MD.
We are truly indebted for the loving care provided around the clock by Mom’s spiritual brothers and sisters of the Fayetteville Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Memorial service for Mrs.Daity Helena Goodrich Bryson, age 83 of Fayetteville, will be conducted Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at 4 p.m. at Higgins Funeral Home, with Isaac Smith officiating.
Visitation with the family will be Tuesday April 28, 2015 from 2 p.m. until time of service at 4 p.m. at Higgins Funeral Home.