A young boy , born at home and reared in the country, the child of hard-working , loving parents, who possessed little formal education themselves , entered school at the age of six———–and found his calling.
And his journey began……
Continuing his passion, he entered college , graduated on time, and , as expected , stayed on the path he had chosen : being an educator himself. He , like others, contributed in many positions and in many disciplines, even coaching through the years.
And his journey continued……
Never marrying, he “adopted ” children along the way : paying for school lunches for those whose families lacked the money to do so ; paying college tuition for poor, but deserving, students ; and reaching out financially to those in need for incidentals, such as notebooks , pencils , uniforms , sneakers , book bags, lunch boxes , and others too numerous to name.
And his journey progressed………..
Following his passion to the top of his profession, affecting kids and families and his community, he gave it all. Remaining a bachelor for a lifetime, his true goal was always making his community a better and stronger place by encouraging education at every level for every citizen.
And his journey never paused…………
He led a simple life, comprised of his church, his garden, and his love and support of high school basketball. A special gift was maintaining the local football field at no cost to anyone. Just one more way to give……………………
And the journey did not die …….
He established a Foundation for teachers and schools to help students have more and better opportunities. My husband , having known him well through the years, always laughingly said that this very gentleman had the first dollar he ever earned ! An exaggeration, of course, but his respect for money and what it can accomplish is continuing to serve our schools, our teachers, and, most important of all , our students.
And the journey never stops……..
This Foundation is more than comfortable and stable. Since his death it has responded to faculty in all the elementary schools by funding what they justified as much needed support for their students. The Foundation Board, consisting of 5 members, relies on the teachers’ expertise and knowledge to make decisions regarding the need for extra financing. It has been a success with support in areas that regular funding cannot accommodate.
And the journey expands ………
The Foundation , as time goes on, will broaden its generosity, reaching out to programs in more schools in more ways.
And the journey lives on …..
So, here’s to the ED BRYANT FOUNDATION and Superintendent Ed Bryant, who , even from the grave, is still contributing, still caring, still educating. He knew so well that education is not just about schools and teachers and students. But rather it’s about a quality of life for all who live in our community. Education opens doors and ideas and encourages success.
May God in all His wisdom continue to bless the ED BRYANT FOUNDATION as it lives on………and on……….and on ……… through the generosity and legacy of the iconic educator, Superintendent of Franklin County Schools, Ed Bryant.
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I remember him from my HS days and driving that black thunderbird. He held a large presence in the community. Thanks for sharing this. I never knew his life story.
Thank you for your response. He was so low key and so cautious with his money that much went unrecognized. I served on the FC School Board for 8 years while he was Superintendent.
Salt of the earth, certainly. He enhanced the “taste” of life and preserves a goodness so needful at all times. Indeed, may the blessing flourish.
Thank you, Gary, for caring enough to read my meanderings. I served on our School Board for 8 years while Ed was Superintendent and am now serving on the Foundation Board. It is an honor.
I truly appreciate hearing from you. My blogs are a throw-back to my UGA Grady College days and my years of teaching English. I find it good for my soul to write.
Hope all is well with you and yours. Hope you’ll visit our church again soon.
Third paragraph and I felt in my heart who this humble man was! I looked out from our office many a day and see him on the football field slaving away
Diane what a wonderful tribute to the man who believed in our youth and county. Thank you Ed Bryant
Thank you, Sue. Your support and friendship mean much to me.
Ed was so understated, and way too many people could never get beyond the fact that he was reluctant to spend money. I just think it’s important for all of us to understand the total man and his many gifts to Franklin County.
Miss you and hope we can have lunch with our other two buddies before the summer ends.
A very interesting story. It made me think of the times my husband and I worked in other countries. I would look at those beautiful barefoot sparsely clothed children in those remote villages and wonder at the talents and gifts they all had but know most of them would be undiscovered even to the child who had them. We take education so lightly and so much for granted in this country.Yet it remains the door to so many possibilities. I know many people are skeptical of organizations that”help” children. But some really are good.You just have to check them out well.The difference that a small amount of money a month from someone here to support a child(send them to school,feed them,give health care to them and some reach out to help the family get a better job)makes a huge difference in the life of that child.There was one little village we went to in Nicaragua in the early 1990’s.Those people had never seen people “like us”so much so that the children all started crying. They had no electricity no water lived in grass huts.It looked more like Africa that Africa had looked. Over a period of years and the help of many people,our church built a school there after getting them electricity and water. Three college educated teachers were hired to teach there. Later even computers were installed.Eventually almost every school age chid could read and write.Many graduated and went to college.Over a short time with lots of help,education, water and electricity transformed the life and health of that little village.
Love, LOVE your views ! I was in public education for almost 30 years , English teacher and public high school principal. I haven’t experienced what you describe but I have seen poverty, neglect, and abuse. My heart lies with those who don’t ever have a chance.
Thank you for reading and responding to my meanderings. What comes up, comes out, begun during the pandemic for therapy.
Interested in where you live and how you happened on my blogs.