THE LIFE AND LEGACY of IDA RUTH BRYANT

Ida Ruth Bryant was a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend to many. On Monday, April 25th, 2022, after a month and a half of hospitalization, she gained her heavenly wings. Ida, also known as Ruth or Ma, depending on who she was around, was born in Wilson, NC on October 28th, 1954, to loving parents, John Richard and Mary Batts-Hagans of Wilson, NC. She was educated in Wilson, NC; graduating from Fike High School in 1973.

Later, Ida moved to Washington, D.C. She became employed in the Washington D.C. government in the 70's until 1996. Afterwards, she moved to St. Mary's County with her husband, George Bryant, and daughter, Venus Neely. She first got a job as a cashier at Kmart and then started her career as a cashier at St. Mary's College, where she worked for 25 years.

On April 1, 2007, Ida was baptized in Jesus name at Restoration Free Gospel Church, Lexington Park, MD, where she was still a faithful and devoted member.

Just like her mother Mary, she was a "neighborhood mother", earning her the name "Ma" and "Momma" by people in the neighborhood and at her job at St. Mary's College. She always did everything with a smile and if you needed help, she would do whatever she could even if it meant giving her last. She was the definition of a phenomenal woman. She vibrated love thus receiving love everywhere she went. Over her life, she gained an outstanding large army of friends and family. She loved to spend her time with her family and friends and spoiling her granddaughters. She was loved by many and will be missed by everyone.

Ida Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, John Richard Hagans and Mary Batts-Hagans; her daughter, LaTonya Hagans; her brother, Earl Douglas Batts; her father-in-law, Howard Bryant; stepdaughter, Tamika Bryant and niece, Stephanie Lamb.

She leaves precious and loving memories to her husband, George Bryant Sr.; her daughter, Venus Neely of Lexington Park, MD; two granddaughters, Selena Carter of Lexington Park, MD and Layla Carter of Lexington Park, MD; mother-in-law, Elizabeth Bryant of Lexington Park, MD; one stepson, George Bryant Jr. of Lexington Park, MD; step granddaughters, Alexus Bryant, Tykia Bryant, Chantel Bryant, all of Lexington Park, MD; step grandson, Daquarious Bryant of Lexington Park, MD; step great-grandson Jaiden Bryant of Lexington Park, MD; her brothers, Pastor Richard Hagans (Felicia) of Greenville, NC and Larry Hagans (Jean) of Wilson, NC; her sister, Vestia Mae Hagans of Wilson, NC; sisters-in-law; Louise Batts of Wilson, NC, Geraldine Thomas (Louis) of Chaptico, MD, Sharon Milburn (James) of Lexington Park, MD, Louise Gladden of Lexington Park, MD, and Judith Bryant of Lexington Park, MD; brothers-in-law, Melvin Bryant (Vanessa) of Lexington Park, MD and Samuel Bryant (Iris) of Mechanicsville, MD, and a great deal of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and friends including three special friends, Terry Barnes Dickerson, Arletha Lewis Cobb, and Pamela Hill Harris.

Family and friends will unite on Friday, May 6, 2022 for visitation at 10 am until time of service at 11 am at St. Matthew Pentecostal Church, 23755 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Interment to follow at Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD 20650.