Cover photo for Hersey L. Bryant's Obituary
Hersey L. Bryant Profile Photo
1931 Hersey 2022

Hersey L. Bryant

September 3, 1931 — December 9, 2022

Hersey L. Bryant was born on September 3, 1931 to Fannie Bell Pinkston and Hersey Bryant in Newbern, Alabama. Hersey was the eldest of four children. His younger sister Marie Harris (Dan II), Joe Bryant (Ruth) and McKinley (‘Rico’) Bryant (Kate) all preceded him in death.

 

Hersey lived in Newbern, Alabama until the age of nine. Once his father secured manufacturing work in Detroit, his father sent for his family to move to the northern city. They settled on the eastside of Detroit where Hersey completed all of his primary and secondary schooling.

 

Hersey attended church and became a member of New Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church when he was 11 years old. Here he celebrated over 75 years as a dedicated member of the church serving as a Sunday School teacher and a committed Usher Board member.

 

Hersey was Sergeant-at-Arms of his graduating class at Sidney D. Miller High School in Detroit, Michigan and graduated cum laude.  During part of his high school years, Hersey worked for Capitol Records as a warehouse worker in the Detroit Distribution Center. He was an All-City and All-State athlete in Track and Field, while also serving as manager of the football team. After graduating high school he was awarded the Wilberforce Club Scholarship to attend Wayne State University.

 

Hersey attended Wayne State University until he was drafted into the military. As a member of the United States Army, Hersey was placed into the Black unit that integrated the 7th Army Headquarters in Germany. He and his brigade were the first African-Americans not only to enter the German Headquarters, but also to run and manage the bookkeeping of the operation.

 

After two years, military personnel were able to request early leave to finish college. Due to his performance, he was granted an early honorable discharge. Hersey returned to Capitol Records where he worked evenings while completing his Business Accounting degree at the University of Detroit (now University of Detroit Mercy).

 

Upon completion of his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Detroit, Hersey’s performance moved him from being a warehouse worker to becoming the overall leader of the Capitol Records Midwestern distribution division. In his new position Hersey spent considerable time commuting from Detroit to Los Angeles to attend national sales meetings at Capitol Records Hollywood Headquarters.

 

On June 13, 1959, he married the love of his life, Daisy Shankle. Daisy and Hersey met each other through a few of his colleagues at Capitol Records who frequented the diner where Daisy worked. Once his colleagues arranged the introduction – history would never be the same.

 

Hersey and Daisy moved their family to Inkster, Michigan. Hersey served as Building Commissioner for Inkster and was directly involved with the development of the Inkster’s Ice Arena and Community Center.

 

After 31 years with Capitol Records, Hersey retired and opened a music store in Detroit, Michigan. The store was frequented by many celebrities who came to know Hersey and Daisy on a personal level. He sold the business in 1988 when Daisy was diagnosed with a rare bone disease. For 17 years Hersey cared for her until her death in 2005. They celebrated 46 years of marriage.

 

After retiring, Hersey continued to use his business and accounting skills to work as a tax consultant for several small businesses and personal clients. Hersey filed taxes for his last client in April 2022.

 

Hersey L. Bryant leaves to celebrate his life and to mourn his passing, family members and numerous friends: three children, Develyn Newell (Darryl), Paulette Saunders (Reginald), David Bryant (Sharlene); five grandchildren; Jeremee Lewis (Amanda), Sydni Fomas-Do (David), Arielle Daisy Marie Bryant, RJ (Reginald Jr.) Saunders, Kendall Daisy Saunders; four great grandchildren; Laila Bryant, Gabriel Neal, Grayson Neal, David Bryant, Jr.; niece, Sharon Harris, and nephew, Dan Harris III (Sharon); goddaughter, Valerie Way (Keith) and godson, Thurston Coleman.

 

Preceding him in death are his wife Daisy Bryant, sister Marie Harris (Dan II), brothers Joe Bryant (Ruth) and McKinley ‘Rico’ Bryant (Kate); two granddaughters, Kyomi Lewis and Averi Lewis.

 

 

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Hersey L. Bryant, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Thursday, December 15, 2022

9:00am - 9:00 pm (Eastern time)

James H. Cole Home for Funerals - Blvd Chapel

2624 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI 48208

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Funeral Service

Friday, December 16, 2022

Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)

New Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church

2201 Elmhurst St, Detroit, MI 48206

Family Hour: Friday 10:30-11:00 New Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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