Daisy Isabel Bailey Bryant was a true woman of sophistication, distinction and grace. This was evident by her keen sense of style as she always dressed in classic suits, hats, and high-heeled shoes.
Bryant was employed by the Quartermaster’s Department of Defense in South Philadelphia. Before retiring after 36 years, she was honored with the Philadelphia Woman of the Year Award for Personal Excellence & Dedicated Service. Bryant died October 12. She was 87.
Bryant was born on November 16, 1923 in Philadelphia to the late James Hezekiah and Hilda Mae Bailey. She was the second child of three daughters.
Bryant attended Smith Elementary, Barrett Junior High School and graduated from William Penn High School for Girls. She went on to continue her education in Business Administration at Temple University.
At a young age, Bryant joined First African Baptist Church where she became an active and faithful member for over 77 years until her health began to fail.
She loved and supported her church. She was honored with the First African Baptist Church Woman of the Year Award for Outstanding Dedicated and Continuous Service. She served on many ministries including the choir, trustee board, usher board and a teacher of the Vacation Bible School. She also volunteered serving in the soup kitchen ministry.
Her life was guided by her love of the Lord and her family. She was a loyal and faithful servant. She was very generous, caring and compassionate often volunteering her time visiting with the sick and shut-in.
Bryant was a founding member of the Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., Beta Omicron Chapter of Philadelphia and was recognized for 50 years of membership.
As a Girl Scout troop leader for many years, she was a positive role model mentoring and molding young ladies. She taught them etiquette, good manners and stressed the importance of having an education.
She demonstrated her artistic abilities as a milliner and jewelry designer creating hats and earrings to complement her outfits. She was an entrepreneur selling her hats labeled “Hats Hand-made by DASI.”
Loved ones said she enjoyed her life. As a young child, she played the violin and she never lost her appreciation for music and the arts.
Bryant was a patron of The Philadelphia School of Dance Arts and The Philadelphia Dance Company (PHILADANCO). She went on numerous trips; traveling often to visit her family in Jamaica, Minnesota and Massachusetts. Aunt Daisy, as her nieces and nephews affectionately knew her, would regularly extend her encouragement and support. She was truly a fixture in their lives always acknowledging birthdays and attending special events from birth through adulthood. You could always count on Aunt Daisy to support the cause whatever it may be. Although, she did not have children of her own, she affectionately supported and loved her nieces and nephews as if they were her own.
In her spare time, she also loved to bake. Bryant was the perfect hostess. Friends and family would look forward to being served them her delicious sour crème pound cake, zucchini bread, Christmas cookies and spinach dip. She was always prepared far in advance for any unexpected visitor.
Bryant leaves to mourn: sister, Doris L. Nathan; nieces, JoAnn Canty, Patricia L. Brinkley and Renee J. Nathan-Evans; nephews, Joseph A. Nathan III (Jacquelyn) and Arthur Alexander III; Jerrell Brinkley Sr., Douglas Evans; dear friend, Novella Harrison; a host of great nieces and nephews; relatives and friends.
Her older sister, Amy R. Alexander, preceded her in death.
Services will be held Oct. 21 at First African Baptist Church, 1608 Christian St. The viewing will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The service will start at 11. Wood Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
