Edna Bryson

Edna McCrary Bryson of Brevard passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, October 9th, 2019.  She was 100 years young, celebrating and enjoying her life daily.  She was born June 8, 1919 in Little River, NC, the daughter of Joe McCrary and Mary Shipman McCrary and was the seventh of ten children.

Edna was married to Carl Bryson on June 8th, 1939.  They were both employed at Ecusta Paper Mill where Edna worked in the chemical lab until her daughter Merita was born in 1947 followed by her son Charles in 1949.  Merita tragically passed away at the age of 6 due to complications from Chicken Pox.  Edna later returned to work as a library assistant, serving the libraries of Transylvania County Schools for nearly 30 years working at Brevard Elementary, Straus Elementary, Brevard High and Brevard Middle Schools.  When Edna’s husband Carl passed away at the age of 96 in 2006, they had been married for 57 years.

Edna was a long-time, active member of First Baptist Church, Brevard, where she was a dedicated Sunday School teacher of the 4-year-old class for 65 years.  She and her family have also been long-time active members of the Transylvania County Cattlemen’s Association.  Edna inspired many as she proudly continued to drive, live independently, grow her garden, work on her farm, and exercise daily at Brevard Racquet Club until she neared the age of 99.

Survivors include her son, Charles Bryson Sr., a granddaughter Laura Bryson Morgan and her husband Justin Morgan of Clifton Park, NY; a grandson Joe Bryson and his wife Marisa Merrill Bryson of Brevard; four great-grandchildren, Hayes Bryson, Ella Morgan, Miles Bryson, and Cade Morgan; a brother Fred McCrary of Brevard; many nephews and nieces; numerous cousins; and many special friends whom she considered an extended part of her family.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings Harold, Joe, Mary, Clarice, Lillie, Nelle, Arthur, Charlie, Carl and Clyde, her daughter Merita, her husband Carl, and her daughter-in-law JoAnn Pace Bryson.

A celebration of life service will be held at 1:00 pm on Tuesday October 15, 2019 at First Baptist Church, Brevard with Rev. Joe Hayes officiating.  The family will receive friends following the service in the church parlor.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Brevard High School FFA Alumni Association's Carl Bryson Memorial Scholarship Fund at Brevard FFA Alumni Association, Memo: Carl Bryson Memorial Fund, ℅ Andy        Von Canon, 1065 Whitmire Road, Brevard, NC 28712.