Gwendolyn Bryan

Gwendolyn Moir Bryan, age 91, died Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at Abundant Christian Living in Johnson City, Tennessee. She was a member of Rock Springs United Methodist Church. Ms. Bryan earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education at East Tennessee State University in 1963 and her Master of Arts in Education from the University of Virginia in 1974. She was a pioneer in special education, completing specialized training fostered by the Kennedy family. She taught special education for 25 years, first at Sullivan East High School in Bluff City, Tennessee and finally at Sullivan Middle School in Kingsport, Tennessee before her retirement in 1996. Ms. Bryan taught every student she ever encountered who could not read, to read. Many were high school kids who had not yet learned. She stuck to her proven methodology regardless of passing educational trends. She said, "I can teach anybody to read." Her commitment to helping students prepare for and shape their futures is her lasting legacy. Ms. Bryan was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Ms. Bryan is survived by a son, Malcolm Wright Bryan IV (and Cathy) of Roanoke, Virginia; a daughter, Jane Erwin Bryan Honeycutt (and Jeff) of Kingsport; five grandchildren, Cary Breckinridge Bryan, George Hunter Bryan, Mary Hannah Bryan, Anna Laurel Van Balen of Las Cruces, New Mexico, and Rebecca Jane Van Balen Beach (and Nick) of Nashville, Tennessee;  She enjoyed one great grandchild, Henry Jackson Beach, age 8 months.

Ms. Bryan was preceded in death by her parents, John Penn Moir and Gwendoly Boyd Moir as well as two beloved children, John Moir Bryan and Gwendolyn Breckinridge Bryan; and grandson, William Edward Bryan Wilson. Ms. Bryan's loving and generous spirit and respect for learning continue to touch lives. It was her desire that when she passed on, her body be donated to science.

A memorial service for Gwendolyn will be held at 3:00 on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Hamlett Dobson Funeral Home, Fall Branch, Tennessee. Officiating will be Pastor Kenneth Calvert. Visitation will be from 2:00-3:00 at the funeral home.