Richard Bryant

Richard Wayne Bryant, lovingly known as “Bonehead” in his younger years and “Daddy Rich” in his golden years, took his last, slow stroll out of this life to meet his awaiting best friend and wife Marsha Davis Bryant on March 20, 2026. Richard spent his 72 years on this earth living an exciting life to the fullest. He was an expert craftsman bricklayer for close to 45 years. He loved telling stories of the beautiful homes, businesses and other structures he created and making connections to those that he created them for. No one could lay a brick better than Richard “Bonehead” Bryant! He received the nickname “Bonehead” due to his many hard hits from falling out of trees to once getting hit by a car on the town Square! He never failed to bounce back better than he was before! Then came his favorite nickname, “Daddy Rich”, which was bestowed upon him by his first granddaughter, Ella-Katherine. He quickly became everyone’s Daddy Rich! His greatest honor was being the absolute best girl dad, ever! He would tell anyone that would listen how much he loved his girls, especially his “Scooter B”! Richard and Marsha lived their lives loving others. Their gift of hospitality was shared with everyone they met from crawfish boils in the backyard to catfish fries at the cabin, Richard loved being surrounded by friends. Most afternoons after a hard day laying brick, he would relax at the backyard bar or on the patio with friends that would pass by and stop for a visit. There wasn’t a single thing Richard couldn’t accomplish! He loved a challenge, from buying an airplane and learning to fly to being a commercial fisherman with his best friend Johnny, he excelled. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved to travel. He cherished his trips out West with his best friends to hunt elk, mule deer and a good time! He loved to travel with Marsha and his daughter Libbi. Visits to Cades Cove, weekend getaways to the cabin, Sunday afternoon drives, and adventures on the river with his “Clark Family” were his most cherished memories. He and his best friend Johnny Morgan were notorious for the giant catfish they would haul out of Sardis Lake! The tales those two could tell were worthy of a novel! Nothing made Richard happier in the last year than a visit from a friend, especially his Friday visits with Ray Bob, chats with A.K., rowdy encounters with Amelia and Beau Spencer, a milkshake break with Brenda, Wednesday’s with Kenneth, a cold Coke Zero and a shot of hot sauce on everything he ate! He cherished every single visitor that took the time to sit with him. They all truly meant the world to him. Richard leaves behind his daughter Libbi Bryant Havelin and Daniel, grandchildren Ella- Katherine, Caroline, Walker and Zoe Havelin, Brother Kenneth Bryant (Berneda), cherished friends A.K. and Brenda Morgan, Cousin Steve Holiday and a host of nephews and nieces. He also leaves the very best friends and caregivers, Ray Bob Nabors, MaryAnn Ewing, Abbey Allmond, Candy Pannell, Mindy Meeks, Darlene Jackson, Stephanie Garner, Flip Jackson and the Diversacare Staff. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Marsha Bryant, parents Calvin and Katherine Bryant, and in-laws J.W. and Jean Davis. A private service for the family will be held at a later date.

Richard Bryant

August 6, 1953 - March 20, 2026