Nell Philips Bryan

August 24, 2017

Charlotte - Nell Philips Bryan, 86, of Charlotte, died suddenly on Thursday, August 24, 2017 from a severe stroke.   She was born December 2, 1930 in Battleboro, NC, daughter of Frank Parker Philips and Patty Arrington Philips.

Nell’s life was about serving her family, neighbors, friends and church community. As a graduate of Salem College with a music degree, she loved singing in the choir at Christ Episcopal Church, which she did for more than 30 years. She expressed her gift of hospitality in many ways, but she especially loved hosting a Bible Study in her home for over 20 years. After this, she became involved with Community Bible Study and served as a group leader.

Nell will be remembered by many for her joy, laughter, hospitality and her servant heart. And she will certainly be remembered as a woman of faith. She leaves a legacy of her deep love for Jesus Christ as evidenced in all aspects of her life and her generous love for others.

Nell is survived by her husband of 63 years, Dr. William Blair Bryan; four daughters, Tricia Slyman and husband, Jim of Lexington, NC, Betsy Blair and husband, Mike of Charlotte, Ruth Hicks and husband, Stacy of Knoxville, TN and Ellen Cox and husband, Sumter, of Charlotte ; a son, William Blair Bryan, Jr. of Charlotte; nine grandchildren, Samuel Luke Slyman, Catie Blair Eller and husband, David, William Bryan Blair, Blair Hicks Terrill and husband, Bryan, James Stacy Hicks, Jr., Emma Hicks Henson and husband, Reece, Millicent Melton Hicks, William Sumter Cox, III, and Charles Bryan Cox; two great grandchildren, Thomas Luke Eller and Michael Buchanan (Buck) Eller. In addition to her parents, Nell was also preceded in death by a brother, Frank Parker Philips, Jr.

The family will receive friends at The Cypress of Charlotte on Wednesday August 30, 2017 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM. 3442 Cypress Club Dr., Charlotte, N.C. 28210.

Funeral service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Thursday, August 31, 2017 at 3:00 PM.   101 Colville Road Charlotte, NC 28207. A reception will follow at the church.

Memorials may be made to Community Bible Study of Charlotte, 1921 Sedgewood Place Ct., Charlotte, N.C. 28211 or Westminster Presbyterian Church, 101 Colville Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28207

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Avenue, Charlotte. 704-641-7606 Condolences may be left online at www.kennethpoeservices.com.

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Comments

  • Bob and Cynthia Dunegan

    Dear Blair and Family,
    Cynthia and I send our heartfelt sympathy.
    During the short time we have been neighbors, you and Nell have become our treasures. She will be greatly missed, but you both will be in our thoughts and prayers.
    With affection,
    Bob and Cynthia Dunegan

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  • Earlene Little

    Nell was a very special lady and I feel blessed to have been her next door neighbor for over forty years. I was influenced by her servant heart and she will be missed! Those infamous cheese straws will be missed as well ? Love and prayers to the Family, Earlene

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  • jerigertzman

    THE ENTIRE GERTZMAN FAMILY JOINS WITH ME IN EXPRESSING SINCERE SYMPATHY TO YOUR FAMILY.WHILE I WAS WORKING AT BELK [SOUTHPARK] IF NELL SAW ME , SHE WOULD GO OUT OF HER WAY TO COME OVER AND SAY HELLO- THIS WAS ESPECIALLY WONDERFUL TO ME IF I HAD A STRESSFUL DAY AS HER SMILE AND GREETING HAD A SMOOTH, CALMING EFFECT AND HER KINDNESS WAS SO APPRECIATED. WHEN I THINK OF NELL, THE BIBLE VERSE "A WOMAN OF VALOR " COMES TO MIND-FOR INDEED SHE WAS THAT. PLEASE KNOW THAT ALONG WITH OUR SYMPATHY, THE GERTZMAN FAMILY SENDS PRAYERS TO ALL OF YOU--MAY G-D BLESS

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  • Tony Windell

    Blair,
    So sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Tony Windell

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  • jeri gertzman

    The entire Gertzman family joins me in sending sincere sympathy and we send our prayers for healing.. You should know that while I was working at belk, Nell would go out of her way to greet me and say a kind word. Truly Nell Bryan was a lovely lady and when I think of her I think of the bible verse "A Woman OF Valor"-again sincere sympathy and G-d Bless the entire family

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  • Nancy and Terry Young

    Dear Blair and family,

    Nancy and I were so sorry to hear about Nell. I remember well all of our special times together when Nell's and your love and caring were always so present for Frances and me, and all of your good friends. I especially remember when Frances was in the hospital, and you two stopped at the hospital to see her before going home from an out of town trip.
    Nell's faith and love were inspirations to all who knew her. We were so blessed to be a part of her life.

    Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. We are unable to come to Charlotte for her visitation and service, but will be making a donation to Community Bible Study of Charlotte in her memory.

    With love,

    Terry Young

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  • Janice Galusha Steele

    What a wonderful life Mrs. Bryan lived. Both Dr. and Mrs. Bryan always showed me compassion and love and were such great role models of how one should live life to the fullest.
    With much love and thankfullness!
    Janice Galusha Steele

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  • Sally Hunt

    Dr Bryan and Bill, please accept my condolences. Mrs Bryan will be missed by family and friends. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

    Sally Hunt

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  • Leigh Vanstory Poe

    Was heartbroken to learn of Nell's death. She was such a caring and loving woman. My thoughts and prayers are with you all, in hopes for some measure of God's peace now and in the days and weeks ahead.

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