Deacon John Franklin Bryan, III

Deacon John F. Bryan, III, 81, of Raleigh, North Carolina, peacefully transitioned from this life to his eternal home on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at WakeMed Heart Center.

Deacon Bryan was born on July 27, 1943, in New Bern, North Carolina, to the late John Franklin Bryan, Jr. and Thelma Wynn Bryan.  Deacon Bryan graduated from Saint Joseph Catholic High School in New Bern and later attended Shaw University in Raleigh, and the University of Wisconsin in Madison.  He earned a certificate in Hotel Management from Wake Technical College in Raleigh, which equipped him to serve in the hotel industry as manager and general manager for 40 years.  While serving in these capacities, he touched many lives with his faith and numerous acts of kindness.

Very early in Deacon Bryan’s career, he was actively involved in the civil rights movement, joining forces with others for the sake of justice and equality, beginning in New Bern with the blueberry farm workers.  He worked in Community Action Programs in Asheville, New Bern, Fayetteville, Wilmington, and Raleigh; Mississippi; and Lancaster, PA.

As an advocate for the poor and disadvantaged, Deacon Bryan worked for Triangle Consultants as a community development specialist, for Coastal Progress as Director of Community Involvement, and for Wake County Opportunities as Director of Community Services.  His volunteer services included Tarheel Challenge Academy, an organization serving underprivileged and disadvantaged young people.  Additionally, he served as a volunteer for the North Carolina Guardian ad Litem Program which is an organization that advocates the best interest of children in custody, abuse, and neglect cases.

A memorable moment in history for Deacon Bryan was in 1971 when he, Bill Riddick, the orchestrator of this event, and others spent ten days in Durham, bringing together a racially divided city to talk about integrating schools.  Ann Atwater represented the black community and C.P. Ellis, the Exalted Cyclops of the KKK, represented the white community.  At the end of the 10-day gathering of meetings, communications and negotiations, they witnessed Ellis tearing up his KKK membership card and forming a relationship with Ann Atwater to bring about change.  Fifty years later, this event resulted in the making of the movie, “The Best of Enemies”, in 2019 where Taraji P. Henson played the role of Ann Atwater. The movie was filmed in Durham.

At an early age, Deacon Bryan became a Christian and grew in his faith at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in New Bern, where his family had deep roots.  After moving to Raleigh and meeting his wife, Linda, he joined Martin Street Baptist Church and continued his spiritual growth under the leadership of Pastor David C. Forbes, Sr.  He later became a founding member of Christian Faith Baptist Church where he served faithfully as an usher, a choir member, a member of the Mission Ministry, the AIDS Ministry and the Men’s Ministry.  He was ordained a deacon in 2001 and served faithfully until his health began to decline.   

The Love of Deacon Bryan’s life was his wife, Linda, who he called “Lynn”. He loved his family greatly and his beloved Christian Faith Baptist Church family.

He was affectionately known as “JB”, “Johnnie”, and “Piece of Cake”. He often said when he heard someone calling him “Johnnie” he knew it had to be someone from New Bern.

He was predeceased by his parents John F. Bryan, Jr. and Thelma Wynn Bryan, a sister, Lucy Moseley-Bell and a brother-in-law, Charles Fisher, Sr.

He leaves to cherish his memories his beloved and faithful wife, Linda Bryan; children: Christopher Bryan of Texas, Frederick Bryan (Karen), Marilyn Bryan Davis (Greg) and Bridgette Bryan of New Bern, Jewel Michele Hayes and Demetria Antionette Clarkson of Raleigh; sisters: Donna K. Bryan Fisher and Kathleen Bryan Grate of New Bern;  grandchildren: Christopher and Michael Bryan, Gregory Jr. and Ava Davis, Dontay Shephard, and Jasmine Nunn; one great granddaughter, Olivia Shephard;  nephews: Charles Fisher, Jr. (Tracy), Jason Fisher (Heather Carlson), and Taylor Bryan (Katia Barber); brothers-in-law: Allen Wright (Delores) of Raleigh, Vasco Wright (Judy) of Virginia, and Vason Wright of Raleigh (who was like a son); one sister-in-law, Marie Wright of Raleigh, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Adopted family: Rohit & Chayya Shah and children Pooja, Sohil.

Funeral service at 12:00 noon Monday April 7,2025 at Christian Faith Baptist Church, 509 Hilltop Drive Raleigh, NC preceded by an 11:00 AM visitation.  Interment will follow the service at Montlawn Memorial Park. 

*** Please Note ***  "There is no public viewing scheduled on Sunday 6, 2025."

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Deacon John Franklin Bryan, III, please visit our floral store.