O. Bryant Celebrates 102 Years

Mrs. Odessa Griggs Bryant celebrated 102 years this week on May 5 with her Retreat Nursing Home family and friends.

Mrs. Bryant was born in 1918 to the late Jeanette Cobb Griggs and Charlie Griggs in Jasper County. She attended Jasper County Training School along with her two brothers who are now deceased. She lived in Pittsburg, Pa., for some time as an adult but moved back to Georgia in 2000. She settled into the Retreat in 2015.

Mrs. Bryant’s parents were mostly field workers and as a young child was not allowed to help them, she noted in an interview around her 100th birthday celebration. She remembers traveling on the hay wagon, shopping at Benton Supply Store, and when television was first introduced.

One of her first jobs was working on a “capping machine” at a mill. The machine put caps on jars. She stayed busy, whether it was peaches, apples, strawberries or whatever. She remembers lighting the house with oil lamps and going to the outhouse when nature called.

Mrs. Bryant has been a faithful member of St. James A.M.E. Church in Monticello where she served as the missionary president for many years. She put so much of her life into doing the work of St. James and the congregation is so thankful for her service. Although she spent most of her life in Jasper County, her mission work took her on many travels.

Mrs. Bryant and the late Hilliard Jordan, Sr. had one son, Hilliard Jordan, Jr., who died in November 2019, not too long ago. After graduating from high school, Hank, Jr. joined the U.S. Army where he served with the 3rd Infantry Regiment, the Old Guard, and as a Tomb Guardian in 1963 at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers in Arlington National Cemetery where he is now laid to rest.

Many may remember Mrs. Bryant as “the one that got away” some years back. She had been treated at the local hospital and released but while waiting for someone to pick her up she ventured outside and ended up lost. A search party ensued, and she was found the next morning not far from the hospital. Not long after that, she went to live at The Retreat. Mrs. Bryant said that a pack of dogs kept her warm during that night lost but now she has her Retreat & St. James family to keep her company.

Happy 102nd Birthday Mrs. Odessa Griggs Bryant!