Elizabeth Perry Bryan

Born and raised in Shady Dale, Georgia, Liz always kept her hometown in a special place in her heart. Liz loved telling folks all about Shady Dale, especially her parents, Jim & Sallie V. Perry, and the good times she had growing up with so many cousins, aunts and uncles and other kinfolks. She met the love of her life, Bill Bryan, Jr., in Macon while she was a student at Wesleyan College.After earning her degree in education, Liz and Bill were married at Calvary Methodist Church in Shady Dale. Their long, adventure filled life together almost ended the same day it started. The custom in 1953 was for the newlywed's friends to chase them out of town, staying with the couple as far as possible in a bawdy, horn blowing parade of chase cars. In an effort to out-maneuver their buddies, Bill & Liz arranged to “escape” in her Daddy's brand new 1953 Ford pickup truck and then meet a trusted friend out in the country where they would switch back to their car. Unfortunately, one boy caught on and was chasing them down a dirt road when Bill lost control and flipped the truck end over end and then rolled side over side, ultimately landing on the wheels in a cotton field. Seatbelts were still a thing of the future, but miraculously they both emerged from the wreck unhurt. Liz and Bill's life together started off with a miracle. Some of Liz's next adventures included teaching fifth grade and second grade, moving seven different times over a five-year period while Bill served in the Army and worked in private business. Two winters and one summer in Alaska might have been the highlight of this time. By 1958, Liz & Bill had settled in the north Atlanta area and started a family. Liz devoted the next 40 years to raising her children, teaching Sunday School and Bible School, and volunteering at her children's schools. She always made sure that her volunteering and teaching would put her close to her children and their activities. One of Liz’s greatest joys in life was spending time with her grandchildren! She was always there for every special event, supporting them, cheering them on, and taking pictures. Favorite memories for all were made on annual two-week family beach trips that Liz and Bill arranged for almost 25 years. After her husband Bill passed in 1999, Liz continued her community involvement. One of her favorite's was the Happy Tails therapy dog program with her beloved border collie, Maggie. Liz is survived by two children, Bill Bryan, III (Jori) and Becky Brown (Roger). Another son, Roy Bryan (Lori) preceded her in death. Liz is also survived by eight grandchildren: Jessica, Kayse, Keri, Jordan (Bill III & Jori); Roger, Victoria (Becky & Roger); Kempton, Maren (Roy & Lori); and two great-grandchildren, Matthew (Keri) and River (Jessica). All are invited to attend a Celebration of Life Service and lunch on Saturday, August 1 at 11 AM in the SSUMC chapel and activities center (6150 Sandy Springs Circle). Casual attire. Memorial Gifts may be made to Sandy Springs United Methodist Church. You can send a check made out to SSUMC with "Liz Bryan Memorial" in the memo line and mail it to: 86 Mt. Vernon Hwy NW, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. Or you can give online: go to https://www.ssumc.org/give and under fund select "Memorials/Honorariums". Type "Liz Bryan" in the memo section.