In life, the Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant was a faith leader who inspired people in the African Methodist Episcopal Church (A.M.E.) around the world.
When her husband became the 106th Bishop of the A.M.E. Church, she quickly fell in love with the people Bishop John Bryant served and they fell in love with her.
The late Bryant, a mother of two, found herself mothering and ministering to many throughout life.
Renowned faith leader Pastor Jamal Bryant, celebrated his mother’s contributions and influence.
“We were blessed to share life with this anointed and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and liberated global citizen,” said Bryant, senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Dekalb County, Georgira, in a statement after his mother’s death on Sept. 26. “I am not the person I am today without her prayers and love, which have been my north star throughout my life.”
The late mother and religious leader was not only influential in her family’s life, but served as a guiding light for many throughout their faith journeys.
Faith and political leaders filled Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Baltimore on Oct. 5 to eulogize Bryant, affectionately known as “Mother Cee,” who died at the age of 77 after a long illness.
Powerful religious leaders, including barrier-breaking women such as from Bishop Vashti McKenzie, the first woman ordained a bishop in the A.M.E. Church, spoke about, to and the Rev. Dr. Jo Ann Browning, co-pastor of Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church in Fort Washington, Maryland, remembered Bryant and her legacy.
McKenzie called Bryant, a “Warrior Queen Mother,” who was, “personified by prayer,” and was an example of “Holy Boldness.”
“Mother Cee’s greatest achievement is that she stood as a prophetic voice to guide a generation of women in ministry,” said Mckenzie, adding she was brought to her knees, when she learned Bryant died.
The Life of Cecelia Williams
The faith leader, wife and mother was born Cecelia Williams on October 31, 1946, to Pauline Williams, an AME Zion stewardess, and Booker T. Williams, a World War I veteran, in Yonkers, New York. She was the second of 10 children.
During the service, most of Bryant’s siblings lined up to speak.
Bryant was educated at Elizabeth Seton Junior College, where she obtained an associate’s degree. She went on to earn a Bachelor’s in Political Science from Boston University, a Master’s of Divinity from Howard University, and a Doctorate of Ministry from United Theological Seminary.
While studying at Boston University, Cecelia met the future Bishop Bryant. They were married in 1969 and their 55-year relationship resulted in the births of a son, Jamal-Harrison, and a daughter, Dr. Thema Bryant.
In 1988, after her husband was elected bishop, the Bryant family answered the call to serve in Liberia and throughout the 14th District of West Africa.
While in Africa she built a school for children and was instrumental in helping Bishop Bryant establish many new A.M.E. churches in West Africa.
While Pastor Bryant and his father didn’t speak, Dr. Thema Bryant had much to say about her mother.
The daughter remembered her mother’s lessons and highlighted her legacy.
“Ma, as Jamal and I called her, was known for her commitment to youth and education but what you don’t know was Cecelia Bryant summer preparatory enrichment camp that had two attendees, Jamal and Thema,” she told the crowd. “We had to memorize chapters of the Bible and go to nursing homes where she served communion. Jamal read scriptures and I would praise dance between wheelchairs.”
Dr. Bryant, a professor at Pepperdine University and former president of the American Psychological Association shared what her mother’s lessons meant throughout life.
“All of this prepared us to catch the baton and carry the movement forward,” she explained.
The professor and minister highlighted her mother’s legacy.
“In the natural she birthed two children, but in the spirit she birthed a movement,” she noted. “She smothered generations of intercessors…she routinely longed for intellectual debt, she trespassed denominational borders… And she slayed the giant of misogyny while drinking green tea.”
The daughter said her mother’s work was influential on earth and people should thank God for the gift of her life and contributions to the world.
“She came with an assignment to set the captives free and she held up the mirror for women of African descent to see and embrace the truth of our glory,” Dr. Bryant said.”Oh, death, where is your sting? Oh, grave, where is your victory? But thanks be to God who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!”
AMEN
When I heard that one of the greatest servants of God The Reverand Doctor Cecilia Bryant had transitioned back to her heavenly Father I sat motionless for a very long time. I recalled how humble she was especially when I bodaciuosly asked her to b a guest on my radio talk show The Light of truth at WOLB. What surprised me is she didn’t say I’ve never heard of u or your show. She came on and I tell u it wasn’t just a conversation if I hadn’t been baptized she baptized me with her words, if I hadn’t ever received the gift of the Holy Ghost She gave me that also. When I left the show that day the words spoken by the disciples
of Jesus came into my spirit
what manner of woman was this?