Eli Bryant

(From Globe Funeral Chapel)

Eli William Bryant, age 75, of Morehead, Kentucky, went home to be with the Lord on April 26th, 2023, at the Veterans Administration Cottages in Lexington, Kentucky.

On February 17th, 1948, in Soldier, Kentucky, Eli William “Bill” Bryant and Dorothy Bradley Bryant, welcomed their first child, Eli Bryant into the world. Susan (Larry) Hamlin of Morehead, Kentucky, James ”Jim” Bryant (Adrin) of Clearwater, Florida, and Madelyn Grayson (David) from Morehead, Kentucky, soon followed and completed the Bryant family.

Eli joined the United States Air Force where he proudly served 12 years, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was stationed in Grand Forks, North Dakota upon his discharge.

Eli retired from Crowder College in Neosho, Missouri, where he was the director and esteemed educator of their renowned auto mechanics program. While at Crowder, he led his students to build Solar and Ethanol Automobiles and compete in national competitions, President of Crowder College Ken Farnsworth still proudly drives the car that Eli and his students created to compete in the First Ethanol Vehivle Callenge in 1998.

On March 11th, 1972, Eli welcomed his daughter, Nicole Nikki” Kelly (Sean) of Las Vegas, Nevada into the world. This brown eyed energetic girl took the #1 spot in Eli’s eye, Nikki and Sean welcomed two sons, Leighton Rey Kelly (Marianne) of Nevada, and Gavin T. Kelly of Nevada, who Eli loved bragging about to his numerous friends, family and car show attendees, stepdaughters, Nova Propes, of Missouri, Tona Lewis (Mike) of Missouri and Dana “Sha” Watterson (Sam) of Arkansas, soon came into Eli’s life and he cherished them immensely.

His race spectating, auto repair skills and lead foot combined to become a true passion for Eli. In the summers, he could be found restoring, trading and washing the numerous vehicles, participating in the Motor Trend Hot Rod Power Tour, and in winter months, could be found meticulously “Fine Tuning” his vehicles in the garage and always talking to his close friend who he regarded as a son, Rick Nix (Crystal) of Missouri.

Eli was known as the “Family Genealogist” , and appreciated the “good things” in life, such as ice cream, music, movies and tales of family and friends of days gone by. Eli is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Barbara “Sue” Hall Fraley Bryant, whom would be found side by side with Eli at the Races, Cruise-In, Church functions, and family shenanigans. With the joining of their homes, Eli was able to add two stepsons, Thomas Fraley (Debbie) whom have one son, JT, of South Carolina, and Bill Fraley (Jennifer) who have two daughters, Gillian and Lydia of West Virginia, and beloved brother in law, James Hall (Kathy) of Ohio. Bringing Eli’s familial total 11 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. He had two nieces, Heather Bryant McDonough of Florida, Jill Hamlin of Kentucky, two nephews, Brad Hamlin (Dinae) of Oregon, Eric Hamlin (Cara) of Tennessee, four great nephews, Curtis Hamlin and Logan Hamin of Kentucky, David McDonough Jr. and Aiden McDonough of Florida and one great niece, Alyssa McDonough of Florida, numerous cousins, and adopted nieces, Robyn Chapman (Derek) of Ohio, and Jennifer Sexton (Jason) of Kentucky.

Eli was a dedicated Christian and active member of the Mt. Pisgah Christian Church, where he served on the church board for a two-year term.

Visitation services will be held at Globe Funeral Chapel in Olive Hill, Kentucky on Saturday, May 6th at 11:00 a.m. with a Celebration of Life Ceremony at 1:00 p.m. officiated by Brother Jack Hinton. Graveside service with Military Honors will immediately follow at the Richards Cemetery in Carter County.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in honor of Eli Bryant to Mt. Pisgah Christian Church Youth Group 7855 Bullfork Road Morehead, Kentucky 40351