Mary Elizabeth Bryant

Mary Elizabeth Bryant “Doll Baby” daughter of the late Percy Jones, Sr. and Deasrea Carswell was born in Ft. Pierce, Florida on January 26, 1944. She was the oldest of her siblings, Ronny, Percy Jr., Jeremiah, and Glen Jones and her sister Shirley (Jones) Brown. Mary's parents migrated from Florida to Bridgeton, NJ and in 1950 the family moved to New Castle, DE eventually settling in the community of Belvedere. On December 30, 2025, she passed away peacefully at Accent Care (hospice) in Christiana Care Hospital, Newark DE surrounded by her loving family. Mary received her early education at Absalom Jones Jr. High School, graduating as salutatorian in the class of 1959 and was a high school graduate of Henry C. Conrad High School, graduating with high honors from the class of 1963. Despite raising her family Mary also attended Delaware Technical & Community College (Wilmington, DE) where she also earned high grades. Mary’s strong work ethics were evident as she was employed at Emily P. Bissell Hospital as a Laboratory Technician and later was a domestic worker where she developed a very fond relationship with her employer(s). Mary met and married the late Elder Price Palmer Bryant Sr. (Uncle Buddy) her “cherished love” on May 1, 1966, and soon became affectionately known as “Miss Mary”. They were blessed with four children, Deasrea, Price Jr., Robert and Jonathan Bryant. They resided in Old New Castle and then Southbridge (Wilmington, DE). Growing up as a child, music was a mainstay in Mary's life. Coming from a singing family, Mary's mother Deasrea and her sisters had a professional gospel group; “Sisters of Harmony”. She was not just musical, but a very colorful woman and music was her PREACHIN! She became well known for standing flat-footed and powerfully raising the roof in many churches up and down the east coast, proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ her whole life! Mary leaves to cherish her memory and continue her legacy: one daughter, Deasrea Bryant; three sons, Price Jr., Robert (Jacqueline) and Jonathan Bryant; her brothers, Ronny Jones (Beatrice), Percy Jones Jr., and Glen Jones (Pamela); nine grandchildren, Robert, Antoinette, LaKita, Lawrence-Paul, Marcus, Michael-Christian, Jordan-Nyle, Jierrah, and X’Zavion; five great grandchildren, Theadora, Robert (Robbie), Lailah, Ava, and Maya and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.(I Corinthians 13:4-13)

Mary Elizabeth Bryant

January 26, 1944 - December 30, 2025