Deacon Elie Bryan, a son of the late Harriett Bryan McFadden and the late Richard Rivers, and stepson of the late Willis McFadden, was born on November 22, 1938 in Moncks Corner, SC. He was reared by his grandparents, Primus and Elouise Smalls Bryan. He departed this life on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at Trident Medical Center, North Charleston, SC.

Deacon Bryan received his education in the public schools of Berkeley County and was a 1957 graduate of Berkeley Training High School. After graduation, he relocated to Philadelphia, PA and New York.

On August 5, 1961 in New York, Elie was united in Holy Matrimony to Sadie Vanish. This union was blessed with three children. The couple settled in Philadelphia where they raised their children until returning home to Moncks Corner in August of 1978.

He retired from Leiber Correctional Institution after many years of dedicated service as a Plumber Supervisor. He also served his country in the United States Army.

Deacon Bryan was a member of St. John Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School delegate, maintenance chief and contract officer.

He enjoyed his family and friends.  He was a kind and gentle man and will be greatly missed.

Deacon Bryan was preceded in death by his wife, Sadie Bryan; uncle, Rev. David Manigault; parents-in-law, Rufus and Mozell Vanish; sister-in-law, Gertie Mae McNeil; brothers-in-law, Ed Smalls, Rufus Vanish, Jr., Luther Vanish and Charles McNeil.

Those who will forever cherish his precious memories are: his children, Jacqueline (Donald) Stevens, Ernie (Joyce) Bryan and Troy Bryan; grandchildren, Marcus Stevens, Krischele (Harry) Nick, Adam Christopher Bryan and Jordyn Bryan; great-granddaughter, Olivia Lynn Stevens; sisters , Lillian Pittman, Debbie McFadden, Letitia McFadden and Denise McFadden-Stewart; brothers, George (Janice) McFadden, James (Joyce) McFadden, Fred McFadden and Gerry McFadden; aunts, Nancy Manigault, Nettie Bryan, Rebecca Pough, Ruby Rivers and Mattie Rivers; uncles, Deacon Solomon (Mary) Bryan and Arthur Lee "Ray" Rivers; sisters-in-law , Albertha Smalls, Ann (Henry) Wilson, Ruth (Cleveland) Pompey and Delores Vanish; brothers-in-law, James Vanish, Charles (Joyce) Vanish and Archie (Loretta) Vanish; aunts-in-law, Roxcena Vanish and Dorothy Reed Frazier; uncle-in-law, Isaac (Willie Dell) Vanish; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.