Mrs. Dorothy Matilda Bryant Taft, age 93 of Pearson, Ga. passed away Thursday, September 8, 2022, at her daughter’s home following an extended illness. She was born in Coffee County, Ga., on July 6, 1929, the daughter of C.C. and Rebecca Vickers Bryant.
Mrs. Taft made her home in the Kirkland area of Atkinson County for many years, where she took great pride in being a homemaker, caring for and raising her family. She enjoyed many things in life, like arts and crafts, and fishing, but her most joyful times were those spent making memories with her family, especially her grandchildren. Mrs. Taft was a member of Sunnyside Baptist Church and also attended Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. She was preceded in death, along with her parents, by her husband of 59 years, Johnnie Taft, Jr., one daughter, Patricia Ann Taft Sirmans, 2 grandsons; Jacob Bradley McKinnon, and Carlton Robert Taft, and 2 brothers; Easton Bryant and J.E. Bryant.
Survivors include:
Daughter: Janice Taft McKinnon and husband, Doug of Pearson, Ga.
Son: J.R. Taft and wife, Debbie of Burlington, NC
Son-in-law: Joey Sirmans of Byron, Ga.
Sister: Ruby Bryant Merchant of Douglas, Ga.
3 Sisters-in-law: Jenelle Guthrie Taft of Pearson, Ga.
Elise Taft Parrish of Indiana
Ann Laura of Illinois
8 Grandchildren, 22 Great-Grandchildren, several nieces, and nephews along with many other relatives also survive.
Funeral services for Mrs. Taft were held Monday, September 12, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Relihan Funeral Home Chapel in Pearson, Ga. with Rev. Casey Wright officiating. Special musical selections included, “I Want to Stroll Over Heaven With You” and “I Hold a Clear Title” both rendered by cd. The interment followed in Sunnyside Church Cemetery in Pearson, Ga.
Serving as active pallbearers were: Hayden Wright, Aaron Wright, Zade Mitchell, Grant Mitchell, Derrick McKinnon, and Jack Taft, Jr.
Relihan Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.