Vernita Williams Bryant

Vernita W. Bryant

Cohasset, MA - Vernita W. Bryant of Cohasset, MA, 93, passed away peacefully on March 1, 2023.

She was born in Milledgeville, Georgia to Vernita (James) Williams and Thomas C. Williams. She grew up in Waycross Georgia and after graduating from Center High School, entered Fisk University where received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1950. Following graduation, she moved to Chicago, IL and began working for U.S. Customs as a textile analyst. A year later, she enrolled in the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 1955.

She began her pharmacy career shortly thereafter after working at the university’s Illinois Research and Education Hospital, where she went on to become the Assistant Chief Pharmacist.

In 1964, she married Jack D. Bryant and moved to Eastman, Quebec, where she was able to embrace her passion for skiing by joining the ski patrol at Mont-Orford. Several years later, the couple moved to Massachusetts, where she continued her career working in retail pharmacy at several small independent pharmacies across the state.

Vernita was active in the Cohasset community for over 30 years. She was a former member of the Cohasset Garden Club and a longtime volunteer at the Cohasset Consignment Shop and First Parish in Cohasset.  She was a lifelong learner, genealogy enthusiast, avid reader, talented home cook and classical and opera music aficionado.

She is predeceased by her husband of 52 years, Jack D. Bryant, sister, Roberta D. Williams, and nephew, Charles H. Hutchings.  She is survived by her children; daughter, Saadia R. Bryant (Sean Foley), son Jeffrey C. Bryant, (Karen); grandson, AJ Bryant (Erin Bryant-Ross); nephew, Thomas C. Hutchings; niece-in-laws, Yvonne Mourning, Yvette Bryant, Yonee Kuiphoff, Yolanda Dehan; and other extended family members.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a celebration of life service at 11AM on March 25, 2023 at First Parish in Cohasset, 23 North Main Street, Cohasset, MA 02025. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Vernita’s memory to the American Red Cross.