Christine “Chris” Rose Bryant is a woman of great strength and perseverance.  With her fervent spirit she understands the importance of structure and order making her the steadfast woman she is today.  She is incredibly resilient.  Born in Washington DC, Christine Rose Bryant grew up in North Carolina on her grandparents’ farm.  At the family homestead, Mrs. Bryant learned to garden, harvest, prepare food for canning and cooking.  She planted vegetables, picked a variety of fruits, picked cotton, handed tobacco, and harvested sugarcane.   Mrs. Bryant truly had her hands in a little bit of everything from beginning to end.

At the age of 11, she joined her mother, Matra Young Rose in New Britain CT and continued to spend summers and extended vacations in North Carolina.  Mrs. Bryant attended local schools in New Britain. She holds family dear and models the importance of close relationships with her siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family members.  She is the second oldest of her 6 siblings (5 females and 2 males).  Eventually, Mrs. Bryant began to build her own family.  She married and had six daughters, Loretta, Darlene, Natalie, Matra, Juanita, and Amanda.  Matra passed away at an early age due to health complications, but her spirit lives on to this day.  Mrs. Bryant loved and cared for Matra every minute she was here, providing a beautiful quality of life.   Mrs. Bryant is the oldest living relative in her family, having lost siblings, making her the Rose Matriarch.

Understanding the importance of community and commitment, Christine Bryant is very involved.  She is a longstanding member of Grace CME Church (formally known as McCullough Temple C.M.E. Church), the Anna Warmsley Temple #1073 of the Pride of Connecticut Lodge #1437, and former White Rose Court #487. Mrs. Bryant believes that it isn’t enough to just be a member of an organization, but it is important to do service.  She has a clear understanding of her own strengths, and it is evident in the positions that she had held in these organizations.  Just like in the garden she has her hands in things from beginning to end. 

As a member of Grace C.M.E. Church, Mrs. Bryant has served in many capacities, Trustee Board, Pastor’s Aide Committee and on the Usher Board, to name a few.  An Usher is responsible for greeting and directing and keeping order during the worship service.  The Usher is the first person you see when you arrive at a church, making sure you are comfortable and ready for the service. The Bible describes that an Ushers serve as the “first representative” of Jesus Christ in the worship service. Not only are you greeted by Mrs. Bryant, but she cares for you and is devoted to making sure you have a positive experience during the service. Similar to church, Mrs. Bryant’s leadership in other organizations includes preparing for service and comfort. As a Temple member she has served as door keeper, gate keeper, escort, assistant daughter ruler and vice daughter ruler.  All these positions align with a woman who cares about others and their experiences.

Mrs. Bryant is a woman of few words, but her thoughtfulness is bountiful. At the same time, she has no trouble being clear and correcting you when you are out of order. Although quiet, she is always caring for others.    When she recognizes you are in need, she will show up with one of her homemade Lemon Cakes or her famous cabbage, all created with love.  Her favorite scripture is the 23rd Psalm, favorite Hymn is, There’s A Wideness in God’s Mercy and her favorite song is Trust in God by Al Green.

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy 

Like the wideness of the sea

There is kindness in His Justice

Which is more than liberty

For the love of God is Broader

Than the measure of man’s mind

And the heart of the Eternal

Is most wonderful and kind