Thomas C. Bryant, Sr. was born on August 2, 1928 in Bethlehem, now known as Arkadelphia, Arkansas to John and Varlee Taylor-Bryant. Elder Thomas was the second of seven children. Thomas found and fell in love with Erma Jean Anderson and they married January 16, 1950. To this union eight children were born. He received his formal education in Clark County, Arkansas. Elder Bryant accepted Christ at an early age and united with Pleasant Hill Methodist Church in Joan, Arkansas. Elder Bryant worked along side of Superintendent Jessie L. Williams for almost 10 years and served as District Evangelist of District 15, for one year. He was then installed as Pastor of Holy Ghost Temple Church of God In Christ in 1996. In later years, he accepted his call into the ministry, under the leadership of Senior Pastor Perry Robinson of Saint Paul Church Of God In Christ in Lansing, Michigan. Proving faithful to his calling, he was ordained as an Elder, under St. Paul COGIC. Elder Bryant was a Lansing resident for 62 years. He worked several positions with General Motors / Fisher Body, Lansing for 31 years, until his retirement. During that time he owned and operated several, part-time small businesses and was an independent trucker for seven years. After retiring, he was involved with jail and prison ministries, as well as ministering to hospitals and nursing homes. He was a member of New Life Community Church Of God In Christ, Lansing. Elder Bryant was a stranger to no one and enjoyed sharing the word of God with everyone he met. Elder Bryant was preceded in death by: his three children, Barbara Ann Bryant, Oliver Paul Bryant and Frances Mildred Bryant; parents, John and Varlee Taylor-Bryant; sister, Elsie Bryant-Harris; and brother, Osie Jack Bryant. He transitioned to his heavenly home on March 13, 2012. He leaves to cherish his memory: his loving wife of 62 years, Erma Jean Bryant; six sons, Tom Thomas C. (Valerie) Bryant, Jr. of Duncanville, Texas, Ralph (Tina) Bryant of Lansing, David H. Bryant of Lansing, Ronald (Virginia) Bryant of Jackson, Tennessee, Edward (Ethel) Bryant of Katy, Texas, and Bennie (Shirley) Bryant of Phoenix, Arizona; 18 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Oliver Dean Bryant of Virginia and Gary Bryant of Lansing, three sisters, Clementine Stuart of Oakland, California, Mary Crosby of Lansing, and Martha Dunlap of Virginia; and a host of other devoted family members, church family, and friends.