Special to the AFRO
Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant was celebrated in a ceremony of life fit truly for a queen, as she was often called during the two-hour homegoing service on Oct. 5. The service included a host of family, friends, politicians and onlookers who came to pay their respect to the highly-regarded community leader, wife and mother. The service was held at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, located at 1300 Druid Hill Avenue in Baltimore. Bryant’s husband, Bishop John Richard Bryant, who pastored the church for more than a decade, listened as those in attendance spoke kind and powerful words about his wife of 55 years.
Recordings of sermons, prayers and songs by Bryant echoed throughout the church during the family hour, carrying the voice of the late missionary to people in multiple overflow rooms of the church and those gathered on the sidewalks outside of Bethel. Famed violinist Dr. Melanie R. Hill, trumpeter and composer Dontae Winslow and the Bethel Community Choir provided music during the service.
A procession of A.M.E. bishops gave greetings to the family as they approached the pulpit. The line was led by Bethel A.M.E.’s senior pastor and first lady, Rev. Dr. Patrick D. Clayborn and Dr. Sheri Smith Clayborn, respectively…