WALTERBORO: Mitchell Henry Bryan, husband of Mary Ellen Strickland Bryan, passed away peacefully Saturday evening, August 19, 2023 at the Colleton Medical Center in Walterboro. He was 80.
Mitchell was born at home near Bells Crossroads December 9, 1942 a son of the late Henry Graham Bryan and Katherine Elise Black Bryan. After graduating from Bells High School, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served honorably until his discharge. He spent his career in the lumber and timber business, first working at AVCO Lycoming in Charleston, and then Holly Hill Lumber…where he was initially the logging supervisor…before being promoted to mill supervisor. He eventually transitioned to Stone Forest Industries, where he was the mill manager.
Mitchell was a former member of Edgewood Baptist Church, where he was ordained as a Deacon, and taught the 5th and 6th grade boy’s Sunday School Classes. He was also the Sunday School Director, and a member of the finance committee. He later became an active member of the First Baptist Church of Walterboro, where he served as a deacon, was on the stewardship committee, and was heavily involved with the Walterboro World Changers and the Walterboro Mission Serve projects.
Mitchell was extremely proud of his involvement in Freemasonry, and was a member of both Bells Masonic Lodge #236 and Unity Lodge #55 in Walterboro. At the Unity Lodge, he was recently honored for fifty years of service, was Past Master (1978) and served as treasurer for forty-one years. Beyond the local level, he was the Grand Standard Bearer of the Grand Lodge of the Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina, and was District Deputy Grand Master of the Third Masonic District. Mitchell was also a member of the Colleton Rangers Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
In addition to his wife of fifty-seven years, he is survived by his daughter, Katherine “Kathy” Bryan Polk (Russell), and by his sister, Lora Irene Bryan Vitello, and her family. He also leaves behind his mother-in-law Lydia Fisk, and a very special friend that he actually considered a son, Brian Freeman.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon, August 23, 2023 at 2:00 in the chapel of Parker-Rhoden Funeral Home. Burial, with Masonic Rites, will immediately follow in Glendale Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 at the funeral home, and in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Walterboro. Parker-Rhoden Funeral Home of Walterboro is in charge of arrangements.
