Life Reflections

A beautiful baby girl, Effie was born on June 5, 1917, in Montgomery, Alabama to Ralph Jones and Annie Narvel Gardner. She was the fifth born of five children. She graduated from Inner Urban High School in Fairfield, Alabama and went on to continue her education at Miles College in Vinesville, Alabama. Effie received her Catholic confirmation at the age of 12 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, in Birmingham, Alabama. Effie loved the Lord and was a devout Catholic throughout her life. Through a previous marriage she was blessed with a son, Kenneth.
Her sister Wilnetta moved from Alabama and kept in touch with Effie. By this time, Effie met Joseph Bryant in Alabama and they married in 1941. Joseph decided he needed to make a way for his family, so he moved to Chicago to work. In 1943, Effie followed to be with her husband and sister Wilnetta. In Chicago Effie and Joseph were blessed with two children, Phillip and Wayne. Effie’s husband worked as a tool and die maker. Joseph still searching for more, decided to move to California to start a construction company with his brothers. Effie soon followed to reunite the family.
Providing for her family, Effie worked various jobs which included customer service, factories, the school board and as a receptionist for GE, which she retired from. Effie loved music, dancing, and gardening. She enjoyed painting, watching sports, and cooking. Family meant everything to Effie, so family gatherings were very special times.
Effie was a loving, kind and friendly woman. She was very helpful and thoughtful of others. Effie also had a humorous side to her character, yet she could be very serious, feisty and outspoken when the need aroused. A wonderful, mother, grandmother, great and great-great-grandmother will be missed by all.
On July 24, 2013, in Inglewood, California Effie made her transition. “Well done my faithful servant, come take your rest.” Waiting at Heaven’s gate for her arrival were her parents, Ralph and Annie Jones; sisters, Annie Lou Daniels, Wilnetta Ray; brothers, Ransom Jones and Henry Jones; and a host of other loving family members.
She leaves to cherish precious memories, her sons, Phillip Bryant, Wayne Bryant and Kenneth Lewis; grandchildren, Lisa Covin, Julian Bryant, Monica Bryant, Katelyn Bryant and Tanya Bryant; great-grandchildren: Donald Jones, Jason Jones, Tristan Bryant, George Simpson; great-great-grandchildren: Tajae Jones, Josiah Jones and two on the way; Marilyn Bryant, who she loved as a daughter; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other loving relatives and friends.