Joann Bryson

JoAnn Pace Bryson, 66, of Brevard passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 16, 2014 after a brief, courageous battle with Metastatic Melanoma. She was born June 1, 1948 to the late Brown Pace and Dorothy Staton Pace of Pisgah Forest, North Carolina, the youngest of two children.
JoAnn graduated from Brevard High School in 1966 and went on to attend Brevard College, Mars Hill College and finally The University of Tennessee where she earned her Masters Degree in Library and Information Science. She was married to Charles Bryson in June of 1970. JoAnn began working at Brevard College Library in 1971 and also served as an advisor for the college's Baptist Student Union. In 1976 she became the librarian at Brevard High School. JoAnn was passionate about learning and loved helping students with research and projects. She also enjoyed coaching the Brevard High Quiz Bowl Team for many years until retiring from the school system in 2004. During her career JoAnn was honored to receive the Transylvania County Young Careerist Award and the Terry Sanford State Educator's Award. After retiring, JoAnn wrote and published a series of children's books about the adventures of "Little Squirrel," a character she originally developed in a bed-time story for her own children over 30 years ago. She loved reading, writing, genealogy, cooking, singing in the First Baptist Church Choir and Women's Trio, teaching Sunday School, playing piano, and playing with her young grandchildren. JoAnn was a long-time, active member of First Baptist Church, Brevard. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society for Women Educators, The Brevard Book and Plate Club, and several other writing and education-focused organizations. She and her family have also been long-time members of the Transylvania County Cattlemen's Association.
Survivors include her husband, Charles Bryson Sr.; a daughter Laura Bryson Morgan and her husband Justin Morgan of Austin, Texas; a son Joe Bryson and his wife Marisa Merrill Bryson of Brevard; four grandchildren, Hayes Bryson, Ella Morgan, Miles Bryson, and Cade Morgan; a brother Ron Pace and his wife Neila McCullough Pace of McCaysville, GA; two nephews, Allen Pace and his wife Jodi of Winston, GA and Blayne Pace and his wife Kelley of Dallas, GA; an aunt, Charlotte Staton Brockman of Fredericksburg, VA; a mother-in-law, Edna McCrary Bryson of Brevard; numerous cousins; and many, many special friends whom she considered an extended part of her family.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 from 10:30-11:45 am at First Baptist Church, Brevard. A memorial service will follow at 12:00 pm. Memorials may be made to the Sanctuary Renovation Fund of First Baptist Church, Brevard (94 S. Gaston St., Brevard, NC 28712) or to the Brevard Book and Plate Club Scholarship Fund (381 Maple St., Brevard, NC 28712).
To leave a condolence for the Bryson family, please visit "obituaries" at www.moore-fh.com .
Moore Funeral Home & Cremation Services are caring for the family.