Ernestine Bryant

Mrs. Ernestine Rogers Smith Bryant, 89, of Woodbury, Tennessee went on to be with the Lord on April 1, 2025. She was born in Woodbury, Tennessee on December 25, 1935 to the late Ernest John and Hallie Goad Rogers.

Born on Christmas Day, God let Ernest and Hallie know that their little bundle of joy was going to be a special gift. Only a few years past the peak of the Great Depression's hardship, they knew they'd be raising their little one through some serious times, and it only seemed fitting for her name to have that meaning and also take after her father's name. Luckily for the Rogers family, the name, Ernestine, took and went on to mean so much more than just being a serious girl.

There were things in life that Ernestine was very serious about, and at the top of her list was God and family. Seeing God's blessing from the valleys of the Great Depression to the mountain tops of the post-World War II economic boom, Ernestine was not one to take anything for granted. Unlike many in the generations before her, she had the opportunity to graduate from Woodbury Central High School with the Class of 1954, and it was during her time there that she met her future husband, Charles Smith.

After graduating, life moved quickly for Ernestine. She began work at the Colonial Shirt Factory, got married, and welcomed her own pink bundle of joy into the world all within 4 years. Instead of continuing the serious meaning of her name, she and Charles opted to name their daughter Sherry, meaning "beloved" or "dearest." Though times were still tough with wars raging and civil unrest on top of the day-to-day trials, Charles and Ernestine aimed to keep their bubble of happiness and joy.

Their joy multiplied when their son, Russell, came into the world, and by then, Ernestine found her calling working as a Patient Advocate at the VA Medical Center. She had a tender heart, willing hands to serve, and a mind made to express love and care the best way possible for each individual. Everything seemed to be going well and falling into place until tragedy struck the Smith family.

The day started just as any other, but Ernestine's world fell apart when Russell was hit by a car getting on the bus to go to school one morning and died at the age of 7. Charles and Ernestine clung to one another and to the hope they had "for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow" (Jeremiah 31:13b). Though Russell could never be replaced, the birth of John brought some light back into their lives, and they knew that "God is gracious" held the right meaning for them.

Life took the Smith family down many roads, but Ernestine was sure to keep them all together. She kept a tidy house and made delicious dinners they could enjoy together, always offering a listening ear and sound advice when needed. Her mothering spirit kept a watchful eye over her children, but she knew they had to make their own choices and cut out their own paths in life.

One of Ernestine's favorite choices that her children made was having grandchildren. Unable to keep her hands off of them, she ended up raising several of her grandchildren, and Sherry and John could definitely tell the difference in treatment. Being a grandparent was a role that gave Ernestine more leeway, so she gave an extra helping of love and care to her grandchildren. They returned their love through the affectionate name, "Kanky," which stuck. That name became all the sweeter in her ears when Charles died in July 1997, and she devoted herself to the grandchildren, knowing how great a blessing they were in her life.

At that time, Ernestine was also an avid member of the Smith Grove Church of Christ, and her church family and friends rallied around her. She held a close friendship with Helon Gentry and Joann Bush, with whom she'd also attended school and helped handle the card ministry at church. They could stay on the phone with one another half a day it seemed and still somehow manage to get everything done around the house. Even being women devoted to their missions in life, they made time for other people and found solace in their friendship. Those phone calls became times to recharge, reprioritize, and relay the feeling that someone else was there, heard their plight, and was willing to bear the burden alongside them.

However, Ernestine had been a wife for over 40 years, and not having that role and responsibility left a void in her heart that grandchildren and friends couldn't fill. Meeting widower, William "Bill" Bryant through church, Ernestine found a kindred spirit. They truly bonded in their labor for the Lord and love for manicured landscaping. If you saw Bill out mowing, Ernestine wasn't far away. She aimed to be a constant helper to him. They shared about 10 years together before Bill died in December 2011.

By then, the two of them had four grandsons in their home, and Ernestine decided that her hands were full. She loved them dearly and knew God had been gracious giving her these boys to care for and be a mother to during her later years. She aimed to raise them up in the way they should go so they would always know the way back home. Her love will be something that each generation of children will be able to carry with them. Whether it was her hugs, her smile, her cooking, her words, or just her presence, Ernestine was a gift to her family and left a mark that no one could remove from their hearts.

Though it may seem odd for this Christmas baby to leave this life on a day known as April Fools, the joy she is experiencing being unburdened from the chains of this world is sure to bring a greater smile to anyone's face than a well-played prank. Ernestine was no fool, and she took seriously what mattered most in life. She maintained her worship and fellowship being a member of Midway Church of Christ for as long as her health allowed. She devoted her time and efforts to her family and those in need. She loved without reservation, cared without consideration, and served without expectation. Now, she walks in the presence of the Lord, is happily rejoined with her husband and son, and eagerly awaits for her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren to join her.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Charles Smith; second husband, William "Bill" Bryant; son, Russell D. Smith; grandson, Ronnie Ramsey; brothers, Elbert Rogers and Mitchell Rogers; and sister, Emma Jaco.

She is survived by her daughter, Sherry (Tom) Ganoe; son, John (Sharon) Smith; grandchildren, Denise Young, Jonathan Smith, Ethan (Briahna) Smith, Andrew (Jessica) Smith, and Corey (Rhiannon) Smith; great grandchildren, Nora, Nathan, Sean, Jessica, and Victor; great-great grandchildren, Bryson, Calab, Ada, and Emersyn; and sisters, Audrey Cawthorn and Eilane Harris.

Visitation will be held at Gentry-Smith Funeral Home on Sunday, April 6, 2025, from 4-8 pm. Graveside services will be Monday, April 7, 2025 at 11 am in McMahan Cemetery. Bro. Herb Alsup will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to McMahan Cemetery.

Share memories and condolences at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337 Because every life has a story