Obituary of Essie Lee Bryant

Essie Lee Bryant, 61 of Iowa City died Tuesday, January 9, 2018, at her home surrounded by her family.

Funeral services will be held at 11am Saturday, January 20, 2018 at the Church of the Nazarene in Iowa City with burial to follow at the Oakland Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm Friday at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service.  To share a thought, memory or condolence with her family please visit the funeral home website @ www.gayandciha.com.

Essie was born September 6, 1956, in Ittabene, MS, the daughter of Robert Lee and Georgia Mae (Moore) Bryant and step-daughter of Fannie Carr.  She moved to Iowa City from Illinois in 2001.  Essie loved her family, her friends, holidays, cooking, her bible study and simply being around those close to her.

Her family includes her 4 children, Dameka Bryant (Jermaine Wilkins), Kizzy Bryant, Vera Keita (Daouda), and Floyd Knight; God-son, Eric Parker; grandchildren, Tyshika, Bernice, Sokona, Cheickne’, Aaryanna, Kiara, Amiya, Timmy and Gianni;  Essie’s siblings,  Mamie Bryant, Helen Bryant, Shirley Burns (Willie), Mary Bryant, Susie Bryant, Syble “Pat” Bryant (Eddie Pryor), Ray Bryant, Robert Bryant, Jean, Billie, Lucille, Deary, Richard,  Tootsie, Bertha, Lillie (BJ),  and Willie;  and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, father of her children, Floyd Knight Sr., brother, Nate; and nephew, Raymone Bryant.