Evelyn Jean Bryson

Evelyn Jean Livingston Bryson was born on March 29, 1935 in Hotulka, Oklahoma, to Grace Rivers and G.L. Livingston. Evelyn was the 2nd child born of that union. Evelyn loved to go f ishing on her grandparents property with her aunt Mae and enjoyed catching fireflies and playing hide and seek with her older brother, cousins and friends in the area. As a young child, Evelyn and her family relocated to Shawnee, Oklahoma. During grade school, she was a very good student. She loved school and loved to learn. Evelyn attended Dunbar High School up until her junior year when her parents decided to relocate to Northern California for better job opportunities. She was not happy about leaving Shawnee as she wanted to graduate from Dunbar High School with all of her friends. Evelyn and her family moved to Richmond, California where she completed her senior year at Berkeley High School. After graduating, Evelyn attended Contra Costa College where she earned an Associates of Arts degree. While in college, she met a lifelong friend, Dottie Porter. She also met a local baseball star, L.A. Bryson, who became the love of her life. Evelyn and LA were married in their early twenties and had 2 children. They were married for over 65 years until his death in 2024. After college, Evelyn began working in an entry level position for the IRS. She met another friend for life in Patricia Hatcher. After a few years with the IRS, she transitioned over to the Social Security Administration. At Social Security, she worked her way up the ranks earning numerous awards and promotions, becoming a management supervisor at the GS 12 level. Evelyn retired at age 55, with 35 years of service as a government employee. Evelyn was a long time member of Beebe Memorial AME church in Oakland, California where she taught Sunday School and was very active in her congregation. As Evelyn and LA aged gracefully, life circumstances and health issues led them to relocate from California to Florida. She is survived by her son and daughter in law, Donald and Candice Bryson, grandchildren, Ronald Parrott Jr., Dawn Parrott-McLeod, Aziza Bryson, Ain Bryson, Sisi Bryson, Essence Nicole Dawson, and Isaiah Whyte. She leaves behind many great grandchildren and was also blessed to be able to see and know some of her great great grandchildren who represent 5 generations. She also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, and loved ones. T hose that preceded her in death were her parents, Grace Rivers and G.L. Livingston, her husband, LA Bryson, daughters, Ingrid Bryson-Whyte, and Debra Hicks, brothers George Livingston, Billy Woodfork, and Sylvester Woodfork Jr., and her sister Shirley Ann Reed.