Marion Bryant

Marion Elizabeth Scott was born on July 8, 1932, at Grasslands Hospital in Valhalla, NY, to Oscola Scott and Anna Lee. She was affectionately called Mom, Nana, Mern, Mamo Jamo, Mrs. Bryant, Ms. B, Hey Mama, and Nana Banana.

A native of the Greenburgh community, her family has been part of this area for over 100 years. Marion and her family owned property and lived on several different streets throughout Greenburgh, NY, including Florence Avenue, 5 Dobbs Ferry Road (along with Porter Carroll and his family, as well as Clifford Archer and his family), and 136 Prospect Avenue.

Marion graduated from White Plains High School, where she was a popular majorette. Together with her husband, she managed several businesses, including a restaurant named "Scotty's." They also owned a taxi stand and a liquor store. Her other grandmother, Liza Woods, lived in a 21-room house that included her beauty salon, located in the area that is now where the White Plains Library, Court, and Greenburgh Police Station are situated.

At 12 years old, Marion had the opportunity to meet the iconic pianist Hazel Scott through a school friend who lived with the Scott family in Parkway Gardens. When Ms. Scott heard Marion play, she was so impressed by Marion's talent that she was inspired to mentor her. At 13, Marion began playing the piano and organ at Calvary Baptist Church in White Plains, NY, alongside her lifelong friend in music, the late Mr. Tommy Moore.

At 19, she worked at “Trenchers,” a popular retail store on Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains, NY. One day while working, her aunt knocked on the store window, called her outside, and delivered a life-changing speech, pointing out that she was wasting her time and money working in the boutique. Her aunt had made an appointment for her at the Telephone Company Bell Atlantic so that Marion could pursue a 'real job.' Marion began her career at Bell Atlantic, where she was featured in a commercial due to her beautiful speaking voice, knowledge of the switchboard, and her two deep dimples, which she passed down to her daughter and grandson.

Marion also shared her angelic singing voice with her two daughters and grandchildren, and she embodied a sweet spirit that she shared with her first granddaughter.

Besides working at the Telephone Company, Marion became Elmsford’s popular piano teacher, organist, and choir director at First Baptist Church. While playing during church services, she had her two daughters sit in the first pew behind her and kept a mirror on her organ so that she could keep an eye on them. Not only did she play beautifully, but she also had the voice of an angel. Marion played the organ at many churches around Westchester, including Calvary, Bethel, Mount Hope, Trinity, St. Frances AME, St. Martha, and many more. She balanced a full-time job, piano instruction, conducted rehearsals at the church twice a week, washed and ironed everyone’s clothes, and always had breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the table. Truly a “superwoman”!

She would also travel from time to time with her daughter Sharon. Every time Marion was getting ready to go somewhere with Sharon, Marvin would jokingly say, "You're taking my wife again?" Sharon would look at her dad and reply, "Uh-huh," and he would fake cry and then laugh, giving his wife a kiss. She was so much fun on the road!

One story Sharon tells is when Marion went with her to Los Angeles. and introduced her Mom to Thai food. She loved it and requested Thai every night. The next day during filming, the Asst. Director announced a lunch break and Marion spoke up and said, “‘Scuse Me, have you all ever had Thai food?”. The Assistant Director immediately announced “Thai Food it is, courtesy of mom Bryant!”.

Marion was a loving sweet giving Spirit and she was full of life. Her presence will be missed but her spirit will always be missed. She is predeceased by her husband of 45 years Marvin, and her daughter Denise Elizabeth Archer who passed last year. Marion leaves behind so many who she loved and who loved her. It would be hard to name everyone whose life she touched and she truly loved.

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ATTENTION: During the continuing COVID & various health concerns, as we phase back into smaller capacity public visitations/services, we need your help in limiting/controlling the number of people, so please govern yourself accordingly for the health & safety of all. Thank you so kindly!

A Visitation/Wake will be held on Friday, December 13th from 11:00AM-12:00PM, with Funeral Service to follow starting at 12:00NOON, all at First Community Baptist Church. So you may come to the Church to try to attend, & feel free to wear masks. At the very least you can get hand sanitizer & sign the register book (NOTE: please feel free to bring your own pen). If not at capacity, you will be allowed in to have a seat; but if at capacity by the time you get there, you may be required to leave the premises after signing register book, so as not to be in violation nor cause a health hazard, so please govern yourself accordingly. Regardless of if you're able to enter/be seated, or not, please refrain from too much touching/hugging/handshaking, preferably elbow bumping briefly if at all. If instructed, PLEASE KINDLY RESPECTFULLY leave the building & premises if the church is at their capacity. PLEASE KINDLY RESPECTFULLY follow & abide by the directions of the funeral home staff and/or church or cemetery personnel at all times. We Thank You in advance for following directions & policies, so as to make all go smoothly the day of the services, to eliminate further burden on the family, and to maintain the health & safety of All. Any questions, or if any clarity is needed, please call ahead to the funeral home and/or church, and/or speak to us from a safe distance if present.

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The Entire Staff of Lee's Funeral Home, LLC respects that the Bryant Family entrusted the care of their loved one to us, and that they value the level of service & attention our funeral home provides. We are honored, in turn, to provide comfort, assistance and service to the Family of Marion Bryant during their time of bereavement.

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Please leave written condolences now herein on the Memory Wall to express your sorrow, share your memories, and as an expression of sympathy & way to communicate with/offer comfort to the family, that they and others may see, and may be a lasting tribute in her honor, whether you're able to attend or not. Definitely Please SIGN IN on the Memory Wall as a virtual way of signing the register book, especially if choosing to stay safe/not able to sign in person.

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Feel free to come to the church & cemetery wearing a mask, & wear a mask inside the church, and social distance as much as possible at all times. Please use hand sanitizer upon entering the facilities. If you know you have a coronavirus/COVID-19; are sick/experiencing symptoms of coronavirus/COVID-19; are immuno-compromised and/or have health/other conditions that make your body more susceptible to illness, please do NOT attend any services nor come to either facility. Please feel free to bring & use your own pen for signing the family's register book - you are encouraged to please BRING & use your own PEN for signing. Please follow & abide by the rules of the church &/or cemetery, and directions of the funeral home staff, church and/or cemetery personnel at all times. We Thank You in advance for following directions & any rules, so as to make all go smoothly the day of the services, to eliminate further burden on the family, and to maintain the health & safety of All. Any questions, or if any clarity is needed, please call ahead to the church and/or funeral home, and/or speak to us from a safe distance if present.

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You may send flowers, and/or as a lasting tribute, donations be made in her name/memory/honor to Save The Children and/or for Dementia Research (may be done on your own or through the donation tabs/links here in website at the bottom of this page). You may also plant a tree in her name/memory/honor, as another form of condolence. If sending flowers, they may be delivered either on Thurs. Dec. 12th by/before 6:00PM to Lee's Funeral Home, or on Fri. Dec. 13th, 2024 by/before 10:45AM to First Community Baptist Church. The Family Thanks You!