Cornelia Bryan

Mrs. Cornelia French Bryan, 82, of Clemson, SC, formerly of Buena Vista, GA, passed away on Wednesday, May 01, 2019, at Prisma Health Lila Doyle in Seneca, SC.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 11, 2019, in the Chapel of Watson-Tante Funeral Home with Rev. Chris Hess officiating. Burial will follow the service at Buena Vista Cemetery.  The family will greet friends at 10:00am on Saturday morning at the funeral home.  A reception will follow the burial at the fellowship hall at First Baptist Church, 129 4th Ave, Buena Vista.

Mrs. Bryan was born December 11, 1936, in Buena Vista, GA, to Herbert “Hub” French and Sarah “Bunch” Davis French. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her infant brother, Shady French.

Mrs. Bryan is survived by two sons, Spencer Bryan (Doreen) of Clemson, SC, and Carey Bryan (Susie) of Covington, GA; by a daughter, Amy Guerra of La Mesa, CA; and by her sister, Edith French Holbrook of Preston, GA. By her grandchildren, Michael Guerra, Eddie Guerra, Natalie Guerra, Brittany Bryan Walker, Chelsea Bryan, Chloe Bryan, Sarah Row, Rachael Row, Cameron Riley, Conner Bryan, Delaney Bryan; by her great-grandchildren Jeffery Guerra, Madison Guerra, Arianna Guerra, Daryl Guerra, Neva Guerra, Naomi Guerra, Lilianna Guerra, Eddie Guerra, Nayeli Guerra and Kira Riley; and by her great-great grandchildren Abel Guerra and Romeo Guerra.

She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Berry College and was an elementary school teacher with the Marion County Board of Education for many years, retiring in August 1996. Second grade was always her favorite age to teach. Soon after graduating from college, she began working at her first teaching job in Rockdale County then Cobb County. From 1976 to 1983, she worked in Jasper County.

Cornelia moved to SC in 2008 to be near her son, Spencer, and his family. Prior to her move she had been an active member of the First Baptist Church of Buena Vista. Until her mother’s death, they had had a close bond and together they enjoyed working in their garden and preserving the bounty, as well as cooking wonderful meals for the family.

She obtained her US passport in the 1990’s so that she could visit Amy in Mexico and Cyprus and even went to Israel and the pyramids of Egypt. She also visited Amy in CA and HI and was always a good sport about any proposed activities. She loved to read novels and visit with her mother, aunts, cousins and other family members. Cornelia was always a good-hearted person who wanted the best for her family and her students. She was a kind and generous daughter, sister, niece, cousin, mother and grandmother.

The family thanks the staff of Lila Doyle in Seneca, SC for taking such good care of Cornelia during her final years. They are all very attentive and kind.

Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to Buena Vista First Baptist Church, Buena Vista, GA.

Watson-Tante Funeral Home of Buena Vista, Georgia is in charge of arrangements.