A TIME TO BE BORN:
Gary Michael Bryson Sr was born on June 15, 1945 to the late Levi and Dorothy Lucille Bryson,
of Old Towne, Virginia. He was the youngest of three. Two brothers proceeded him in death,
Colonel Gene Keith Bryson (Andrea) of Woodbridge, Virginia and William Neil Bryson Sr. (Mary)
of Lee Summit, Missouri. He was fondly called Mike.

A TIME TO LEARN:
Mike was educated in the Galax Virginia Public schools and one of the first African American
males to integrate Galax High School. He graduated in 1963.

A TIME TO WORK:
After graduation, Mike moved to Cleveland, Ohio where he worked as a supervisor at Eaton
Corporation and later went on to retire from the Regional Transit Authority after 25 years of
service as a driver.

A TIME TO LOVE:
At the age of 16, Mike met the love of his life Ionia DeLance Brown. August 28, 1966, they were
united in marriage. Born to this union were two children ------ Gary Jr. and Tamara Suzette.

A TIME TO LIVE:
Mike loved playing golf and basketball. He was an avid spectator of all sports. He was a loyal
Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Indians fan.

A TIME TO SERVE:
Mike accepted Christ in 2011

A TIME TO DIE:
On Saturday, May 1, 2021, Mike departed this life at Lutheran Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio.

A TIME TO MOURN:
Mike leaves loving memories in the hearts of his devoted wife of 56 years Ionia; three sons,
Gary M. Bryson Jr. (Shon) of Euclid Ohio, Carl Blair of Orlando, Florida, and Brandon Martin of
Cleveland, Ohio; one daughter, Tamara Suzette Bryson of Cleveland Heights, Ohio; one aunt
Lillian Slater of Baltimore, Maryland; six grandchildren, Chi'Ree Wiley (Tremaine) of Salem
Virginia, Me'Lisa Bryson of San Antonio, Texas, Alona Bryson of Houston, Texas; Robert L. Pryor
of Cleveland Heights, Shavonne Eason(Ira) of Columbus, Ohio and Tyrone Presswood of
Columbus, Ohio; two great grandchildren, Jayden and Amanda Jean; four sister in laws, Mary Bryson of Lee Summit, Missouri, Gerlene Brown of Newport News, Virginia, Gloria Jean Brown
of Galax, Virginia, Sparkle Thompson (Donnell) of Charlotte, North Carolina; four brother in
laws, Jackie Reeves (Ann) of Galax, Virginia, Stephan Brown of Galax, Virginia, Tony Brown of
Newport News, Virginia, Perry Brown of Galax, Virginia; a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

The funeral service will be held Saturday at 2:30 PM in the Mt. Zion Holiness Church. Burial will follow in the Monta Vista Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday from 1:30 PM until time for the funeral service at the Mt. Zion Holiness Church.