Lemuel "Lem" Dawson Bryant, 82, of Franklin, went home to Heaven to be with his Lord. His travels and works are now completed here on earth. Those who knew him knew what a great man he was with his smile and witty humor. Lemuel was born in Rentz, GA on Jan 2, 1931; he was the son of the late Frank and Nettie Bryant. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his step-mother, Mamie, two brothers, Cecil and Wyman Bryant and his first wife Delcie Mae Bryant.

During his teens he settled in Florida from Georgia with his parents and siblings. He started ranching in 1960 in Astatula, FL where he raised cattle and farming. He ventured into rodeo and one year won a prize buckle for calf roping that he requested to be handed down to his great grandson, Logan Dawson Bryant. Then in 1972 at the ranch he founded and started Lem Bryant Land Clearing, Inc. as President and owner. In 1982 he moved the construction business to Hwy 19, in Tavares, FL, where he continued to run his construction business until Dec. 2009 when he retired to the mountains of Franklin, NC.

Lem loved living in the mountains spending a lot of time sitting out on the deck watching the deer and turkeys come up and eat corn he put out for them. He loved Bluegrass music attending many concerts and going to Gospel singings in the area. He was a member of the Cartoogechaye Baptist Church in Franklin, NC. He loved his church family and supporting the youth of the church. He leaves behind a lot of friends in Florida and the Mountains of North Carolina.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Frances (Young) Terrell Bryant, Franklin, NC; sons Robert (Donna) Bryant of Carmel, IN, William Bryant of Fruitland Park, FL; step-sons Ray (Ellie) Hurley of Lutz, FL, Keith (Shelly) Hurley of Safety Harbor, FL, Edward Hurley of Perry, FL; sisters, Jane (Horace) Hayes of Pearson, GA, Marie Cosby of Pearson, GA; brother, Quincy (Darlene) Bryant of Eustis, FL; grandsons, Lance (Julie) Bryant of FL, Clinton (Katheryn) Bryant of VT; two great grandchildren, Logan Dawson Bryant and Landyn Devyn Bryant of Eustis, FL; 7 step grandchildren, Matthew, Dustin, Megan, Jennifer, AJ, Katelyn and Jessica Hurley all of FL and 5 step great grandchildren, Nicholas and Noah Foss of FL, Jackson, Levi and Isla Hazer of CA and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial Services will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, August 6, at Macon Funeral Home, Franklin, NC with Pastors Josh Brooks and Carson Gibson officiating. Visitation and viewing one hour prior to the service.

Final Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, August 10, at Steverson, Hamlin and Hilbish Funeral Home, Tavares, FL with Pastor Carson Gibson of Franklin, NC officiating. Visitation and viewing one hour prior to the funeral services. Final Burial will be in the Astatula Cemetery, Astatula, FL.

In lieu of flowers, Lem's wish was that memorial donations be made to Cartoogechaye Baptist Church Youth Fund, C/O Cartoogechaye Baptist church, Att: Kevin McMahan, 465 West Old Murphy Road, Franklin, NC 28734. His love for the youth of his church will now live on in his name.

Online condolences can be made at maconfuneralhome.com