Reverend Benjamin Perry Bryant 90 of Keystone Heights passed away Thursday, March 26, 2026, at Haven Hospice in Orange Park. He was born August 19, 1935, in Fitzgerald, Georgia to Samuel and Maurine (Walsh) Bryant. Ben graduated from Fitzgerald High. After graduation, Ben moved to Miami to live with his mother. This is where he met Dot for the first time when they both attended Pinewood Park Baptist Church. They later were married in that same church on July 6, 1956. 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 William Carey College while also pastoring Big Level Baptist Church of Wiggins, Mississippi. While in Wiggins, Ben began commuting back and forth to New Orleans to attend New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary graduating in 1968. In 1969 their family moved to Milton, Florida where he pastored Olivet Baptist Church and where Dot would give birth to her 5th child. Their next move was in 1973 to Starke where they would serve at First Baptist Church for over 30 years. Upon retiring from First Baptist Church, they moved to Keystone Heights where he began interim pastoring. In addition to his parents Ben was also preceded in death by his loving and devoted wife of 66 years Dorothy "Dot" Bryant. Ben leaves behind his five children Debi Burke (Tim) of Keystone Heights and Angie Riplinger (Ed) of Starke, Benjamin P. Bryant, Jr. (Kathy) Gainesville, Andrew Bryant (Karan) of Starke, and Matt Bryant (Pam) of Kingsley Lake. He was lovingly called "Papa" 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 seventeen great grandchildren. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, April 2, 2026, in the First Baptist Church. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Terry Blakeslee officiating. Interment will 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