Mrs. Dorothy Mae Evans Bryant 87 of Keystone Heights passed away unexpectedly at her home Saturday, October 22, 2022. She was born March 31, 1935, in Miami to the late James Ralph and Virtie Belle (Parks) Evans. Dot, as she was called, grew up on a farm in Fitzgerald, GA. She was just a teenager of 14 when her own mother passed away. She and her older sister Inez alternated staying home to cook meals for the farm workers. Both Dot and her husband Ben lived and went to different schools in Fitzgerald. While Dot graduated from Ocilla High School in 1953 and Ben graduated from Fitzgerald High the same year, they never met. After graduation Dot moved to Miami to live with her aunt. Ben moved to Miami to live with his mother. Dot and Ben met for the first time when they both attended Pinewood Park Baptist Church. They were married in that same church on July 6, 1956. On that day in 2022 they had been married 66 years. Ben went to the University of Miami and from there went to work with the Seaboard Railroad in Hialeah before being called into the ministry. Dot and Ben had 3 children and one on the way, when Ben resigned from the railroad. At that time, they moved to Graceville where Ben attended the Baptist College of Florida for 2 years. Their 4th child was born during that time. Ben pastored The Rocky Creek Baptist Church in Marianna. After 2 years there the family moved to Hattiesburg, Mississippi where Ben graduated from the University of William Carey while also pastoring Big Level Baptist Church of Wiggins, Mississippi. While in Wiggins, Ben began to attend New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary graduating in 1968. Ben commuted back and forth to New Orleans while Dot and the children lived in the pastorium at Big Level Baptist Church in Wiggins, MS. She took care of her family while Ben was gone most of the time between New Orleans and his pastoral duties. In 1969 Dot and Ben moved their family to Milton where he would pastor Olivet Baptist Church and where Dot would give birth to her 5th child. In 1973 Dot and Ben moved their family to Starke where they would serve this area at First Baptist Church for over 30 years. In all the churches that Ben pastored over the years Dot worked with the children usually with ages 3-5, she always knew her place was with the children. She loved them and they loved Mrs. Dot. As of the present, Dot and Ben have continued doing interim pastoral ministries both in Bradford and surrounding counties. Dot was always an integral part of the ministry and was the best Pastors wife that could be imagined. Dot is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 66 wonderful years Ben Bryant of Keystone Heights and their five children Debi Burke (Tim) and Angie Barber all of Keystone Heights, Benjamin P. Bryant, Jr. (Kathy) Gainesville, Andrew Bryant (Karan) of Starke, and Matt Bryant (Pam) of Kingsley Lake. She was lovingly called "Mema" by grandchildren Brad Barber (Brooke), Brendan Nichols (Jen), Josh Nichols (Lindsey), Brooke Thurmond (Derrick), Brantley Barber (Emma), Troy Bryant (Melody), Jake Bryant (Lauren), Jackie Hale (Peyton) and Caleb Bryant in addition to twelve great grandchildren and two on the way. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 26, 2022, in the New River Baptist Church. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Ben Bryant and Rev. Terry Blakeslee officiating. Interment will immediately follow at New River Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts can be made to the New River Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 16703 SW 144th Ave. Brooker, FL 32622. Arrangements are by JONES-GALLAGHER FUNERAL HOME, 620 E. Nona Street, Starke, FL 32091. www.jonesgallagherfh.com Cemetery New River Baptist Church Cemetery 16703 SW 144th Ave. Brooker FL 32622 US Visitation Wednesday, October 26, 2022 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM New River Baptist Church Cemetery 16703 SW 144th Ave. Brooker FL 32622 US Funeral Service Wednesday, October 26, 2022 11:00 AM - New River Baptist Church Cemetery 16703 SW 144th Ave. Brooker FL 32622 US Funeral Home Jones - Gallagher Funeral Home - Starke 620 E. Nona Street Starke FL - 32091 US (904) 964-6200