Homer W. Bryant

Homer W. Bryant, 85, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather passed away in his Carmel home July 6, 2025. He was born in Richmond County, Virginia on October 2, 1939, the only child of Hazel Hunter Russell and Paul Revere Bryant.  The Bryant’s moved from the northern neck of Virginia to Baltimore when Homer was just a young boy.  He graduated from Baltimore Polytechnic High School.  

Master Chief Homer Bryant enlisted in the United States Navy in 1962 and was an honor graduate from boot camp in sunny San Diego. He then attended advanced technical training as a submarine nuclear missile technician, eventually rising to the exalted rank of Master Chief Petty Officer during the dark and foreboding days of the Cold War.  Homer’s treasured submarine service time took him to duty stations around the world. He served five different nuclear submarines with deployments too numerous to recount.  His selection as Chief of the Boat validated Homer’s quiet competence and leadership qualities. During his 25 years of honorable Naval service, Homer led several large submarine commands before retiring in 1987. 

On March 3, 1968, Homer married Frances Barrie Hickey, they had three children, Paul Christian, Laura Revere and Kathryn Carrie.  In 2003, Homer and Barrie divorced.

Following his retirement from the Navy, Homer worked for a brief time at the Charleston Naval Shipyard. He left the shipyard and opened his own handyman service.  Homer’s new endeavor kept him busy repairing almost anything; however, building and refinishing furniture for his many friends and customers was his greatest joy.  

In addition to working with wood, Homer had a passion for tearing down and rebuilding cars, particularly his cherished 1960 MG.  His three children learned how to drive in that MG, and he gave it to his son, Chris to continue the tradition.  Homer continued to work on cars, and helping friends with their classic cars well into his 70’s.

Homer served as deacon and senior warden at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Charleston, SC.  His faithfulness and love of God made him an asset to the church for many years.  He met his second wife, Shirley Edwards Nell, through the church. They were married in February 2010.

Homer had a deep and abiding respect for his family roots.  His love of history included his proud family’s history in Virginia and Maryland, as well as the history of this great nation.    Homer shared that love of history with his three children.  Weekends were spent exploring abandoned buildings, walking through graveyards and cemeteries in the Charleston area.  Homer enjoyed taking his family to Civil War battlefields and museums up and down the eastern seaboard, relating the history of each battle, and the pride that comes from fighting for what you believed in.

Homer was an avid reader and passed his love of the written word to his three children and grandchildren. He loved teaching his young grandsons about nature, God’s “critters”, engines, MG’s, submarines, and space.  He was particularly close to his first grandson, Turner.  They would spend hours outside learning about bugs, birds and the ocean.  Turner often traveled with Homer to Virginia and Maryland to meet the extended family and learn about Bryant’s and Russell’s shared history.

Coming from a small family and serving his country, Homer realized that friendships made early and nurtured were the best kinds of relationships.  His humor and loyalty will be sorely missed by those good friends, Carl Elliott, Pete Schaeffer, Bruce Jakum, Janie Harkins, Kaye Jefferson, Peggy Pinnell, Ron Neal, Tony Youmans, and his relatives, Norma Priest, Bill Bryant, Shirley Gardner, Alice Allison, Suzie Spitler and Leonard Russell.  His lifelong friend Houston Carr sadly passed away in June of 2025.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley; children, Chris (Lisa) Bryant, Laura Bryant, and Carrie (Harold) Edwards; along with his grandchildren, Turner Ashby Edwards (Sara), Samuel Cooper Edwards, Grady Forrester Bryant, Thomas Logan Edwards, Wade Hampton Edwards; and great-grandchildren, William Marshal Edwards and young Henry Wallace Edwards.

In addition to his parents, Homer was preceded in death by his first wife, Barrie.

Homer’s final resting place will be with his maternal grandparents, Raymond and Susan Russell in the family plot at the Lebanon Baptist Church, in Alfonso, Virginia.  There will be a private family service at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, and in memory of Homer, please direct all contributions to the following charities:

Charleston Animal Society/John Ancrum SPCA and or Keeper of the Wild.

Homer supported these charities for years and his love of all animals is widely known and appreciated.  He could never say no to a stray and his compassion for them was admirable.

Bussell Family Funerals is privileged to assist the family in arrangements.

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