Elder Richard Aaron Bryant was born on March 13, 1946, to Richard Bryant, Sr. and Maggie Lewis in Williamson, West Virginia.

Elder Bryant was the ultimate “gym bug” growing up in West Virginia.  He played as many sports as he could and would often be chosen to play basketball and football with the older boys in the community.

After graduating from Liberty High School in 1964, he moved to Cleveland, Ohio where he lived for almost 59 years. He was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force in 1968 and retired from the United States Postal Service in 2004 after 24 years of service.

Never forgetting his Christian roots established in Williamson at St. James AME and Logan Street First Baptist Churches, he became a member of Shiloh Baptist Church and Emmanuel Baptish Church where he served loyally as a Sunday School Teacher, Trustee of Emmanuel Care Nursing Home, and Director of Christian Education.  In 1993, Elder Bryant was selected as “Man of the Year.” In 2000, Elder Bryant became a member of Church of the North Coast.  He later became a faithful and dedicated member of Christian Kingdom Assembly.

While attending Cuyahoga Community College, he was led by divine inspiration to Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL.  After many years of study, Elder Bryant was chosen to teach at the Cleveland Sunday School, City Institute Sunday School, and Baptist Training Union Congress of Christian Education in Cleveland, OH.

In 1990, Elder Bryant founded the ministry of Christian Resources whose mission is to assist the Church in organizing and developing Christian Education programs.  During this time, he was a Christian Education Consultant for Urban Ministries, Inc., as well as the Ohio Christian Education Association, traveling throughout the state conducting seminars.

Elder Bryant dedicated his life to giving back to and celebrating his community.  He volunteered for years as a mentor in Males in Ministry that served returning citizens, David Simpson House, and Cleveland Public Schools.  He was a proud, Lifetime Member of the NAACP. In addition, after many years of research and time, he produced two documentaries that celebrate the legacy of Liberty High School.

Elder Bryant was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Donald Gene Fouse, and nephew, Calvin Fouse.  He leaves behind to cherish his memory: nieces, Kathy Fouse and Cherie Fouse; nephew, Vincent Fouse; best friend of almost 70 years, Malcolm Smith; Goddaughter, Elexis DeGale; dear friends: Annie Pollard, Diane Shaeffer, Janice Toles, Sharon and Deacon Kenny O’Neal, Pastor Monroe Johnson and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.