Leslie Ray Bryant, Jr., 91

Leslie Ray Bryant, Jr., M.D., age 91, of Asheville died Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community. He was born March 10, 1927 in Hattisburg, MS.; a son of the late Leslie Ray and Clara Louise Terrell Bryant, Sr. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Claire Bryant Savell.

He graduated from Ole Miss and received his M.D. degree from the University of Tennessee School of Medicine. He served in the US Navy as a Pharmacist’s Mate 3rd class. He retired as a pathologist and Director of Transfusion Medicine at Southern Baptist Hospital in New Orleans after 38 years. He traveled on short term mission trips to Democratic Republic of the Congo and Kenya. For over 30 years, he enjoyed teaching bible school. He was former Secretary of American Association of Blood Banks, Past President of South Central Association of Blood Banks, and an Emeritus Fellow of American College of Pathology.

He is survived by his spouse of 34 years, Annie Ackerman Bryant; son, Leslie Ray Bryant III, M.D. of Anchorage, AK; two daughters: Brenda L. Bryant, M.D. of Asheville, Barbara Bryant Gills and her husband, Larry Gills, M.D. of Ft. Smith, AR. He is also survived by three grandchildren: Leslie Ray Bryant IV, Alexander Choudury Bryant and Lindsay Jackson Gills.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, November 30, 2018 at St. Giles Chapel with Reverend Richard “Lin” Walton and Rev. Tonya Hill officiating. Burial will follow at 2:00 pm at Western North Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Dr. Bryant’s memory be directed to Deerfield Residents Fund, 1617 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville, NC 28803 or Medical Benevolence Foundation, P O Box 96877, Washington DC 20090.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com.
Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of the arrangements.