Juanita Y. Bryant

Juanita Y. Bryant of James Island was born on October 27, 1936 to her parents Anne Youmans (Newman) and William Youmans. After a very long, full and happy life she peacefully passed away in the early morning hours of Christmas Day - Wednesday, December 25, 2024. 

Juanita was born in the small town of Fitzgerald, Georgia 88 years ago in 1936. She lived in many places in both Georgia and South Carolina before finally settling down with her husband John “Jack” Bryant on James Island in the 1950’s to raise three children. She was a homemaker and Jack was an engineer. They were married for 48 beautiful years. 

She was a lover of all the fine, yet simple things in life. She enjoyed traveling, always talking about her favorite trips to Europe. She took special interest in the native plants and flowers of South Carolina, her home for almost 70 years. She loved animals too, volunteering at the South Carolina Aquarium- and had an extensive collection of her favorite animal - the giraffe. 

She also loved music; from classical to contemporary. She ushered at the Spoleto Festival in Charleston for 35 years in a row, and continued to attend the concerts in the years that followed at her favorite venue- the Dock Street Theater.

But out of everything Juanita’s biggest passion was always food. In her younger years she baked award winning cakes and even took culinary courses in downtown Charleston. Her walls were lined with hundreds of cookbooks and she always hosted all of the big family meals. If you knew her at all, you knew she especially enjoyed Italian cuisine and of course- chocolate.

Finally, Juanita loved people. She had a huge heart and would do anything for her family and friends. She was one of the most generous people you’d ever meet. She was kind, sweet, and had the most amazing sense of humor. Anyone who met her loved her immediately and she loved them right back. Hugs, or “squeezes,” were what she lived for. 

Having lived most of her life on James Island on London Drive, she spent her last few years with the wonderful community at Daniel Pointe, where she made many new and special friends. Her final moments she was there, comfortable, and surrounded by loved ones as she passed peacefully on to the next chapter.

In addition to her parents, Juanita is preceded in death by her sister Virginia, her husband Jack, and her daughter Marianne.

Juanita is survived by her sons Burts Bryant and Michael Bryant, and her grandchildren: Will, Nastassia, Sarah (Jonathan), Kristopher, Samy, Laura, Hannah, and Mikhail. 

All are welcomed to attend her Memorial Service which will be held at 11:00 AM, on Saturday, January 4, 2024, at McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation, 347 Folly Road, Charleston, SC 29412.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made by donating to the Lowcountry Food Bank (https://lowcountryfoodbank.org/), or purchasing something for the Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Conservancy program. Their Amazon wish list can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/381RKG9REXCK6 

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com/.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation - James Island, 347 Folly Rd, Charleston, SC 29412, 843-614-8494.