Code,991010
Subject,Tommie Bryant
Date,7/1/2014
Interviewer,Janice Smith Nance
Abstract,"Tommie Bryant has been an active member of the Antioch church since 1950 and recounts her experiences with the church, its Reverends and programs through the years."
Tags,Antioch Church
Special Notes,
Minutes: ,47
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1,"Born in Mississippi on January 28, 1926. "
2,"Oldest two brothers came up first, then oldest two girls. Came up with her sister, had five siblings. Came up in 1934. Had an uncle already living in Cleveland."
3,Graduated from Central High School in 1944. Went to Western Reserve school for a while. 
4,"When mother passed the oldest was 19, youngest was 3. Had many good times in Cleveland. Used to all meet together."
5,"Oldest daughter in family did cooking, second oldest did laundry, third did cleaning. Tommie didn't like to do anything around the house, her job was to take the food to neighbors in community."
6,Is sure that is why she continues to do it now. When she was married her husband bought her a car so she could go where she wanted. Her husband had a grocery store from 1933 until 1947/8. Met husband in Cleveland.
7,"It was during WW2, she saw a picture his mother had of him and it was like God planned it. Grocery store was right across the street from where she lived. "
8,"Used to love going to the movies, that was when you could go pay once and stay there all day. Also loved going to church, would go every Sunday and attend Sunday school and the evening program. "
9,"Has 3 daughters- Linda, Brenda, Robin. Robin was a challenge, but still blessed to have her. Has 5 grandchildren, all have college degrees. "
10,Came to Antioch church because her husband's family had been members since 1917. Would take her mother-in-law to church before she even joined and reverend assumed she was a member. 
11,"Reverend McKinney would never visit a home where just a woman lived, so would call Tommie to join him at various church member homes. "
12,"Reverend always told people things to their face, was always well respected. "
13,"Joined Antioch in 1950 officially, was well received because many thought she was already member. "
14,Had about 3 or 4 choirs and 2 services on Sundays from time to time. Best part of service was the choirs.
15,Sanctuary was always well kept. Only certain people could be in the pulpit. 
16,"Has participated on the Deaconess Board, but husband was not a Deacon which was unusual."
17,"Her ministry was to do what was necessary to help senior citizens, did it on her own didn't get money from anyone. Deacons knew her work and recommended her for board."
18,"Was elected to be a Deaconess because of work, many did not know she was doing the work. "
19,"Joined a bible class and the civility club, was a member of the Deacon's circle. "
20,Worked in the missionary society as membership chairperson. At one point visited every sick person on the list as members of the sick communion. still keeps up with sick.
21,If couldn't get in touch with a sick person would contact a family member.
22,"From 1962 they organized a Monday bible class, kept it until the 1980s. "
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24,Reverend Smith was only there from July until December after Rev. McKinney died. Said to let superintendents for five years and then change.
25,Was a big change and disturbance at the time. Rev. Smith said should only be a trustee for 3 years. Church was split because there were factions after the changes.
26,Nashville congregation wanted Rev. Smith back and so he left in December. Turned out his wife is Tommie's cousin.
27,Has high respect for Rev. Branch who came after Smith. Had high regard for people and wanted them to get jobs and places to live. He did what he could do to help people get jobs and homes.
28,After Rev Branch came Rev Nichols. 
29,Anna Marie Wait had a great influence on her. Mr.Taylor who had been a superintendent at the school also influenced her. 
30,"Has learned that whatever is going on she can go along with the program. Was not easy at first, but realized it was not her church it is God's church. "
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32,Afraid to bring up argument or complain in church. Just goes along with the program.
33,"Hope for the future of Antioch to spread more love, care, and concern. Need for a closer contact, especially for children and sick. Don't need money they need care."
34,"For Antioch corresponds with congressmen, does telemarketing and things like that."
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36,Her husband loved the people and the people loved him.
37,"When he died, were so many people that they stood outside church. He extended credit to people, and even after he died people were paying her back for it."
38,Husband was fortunate after WW2
39,"when things were being rationed, the wholesale place would let her husband have meat and things. He was robbed a few times and shot a few times but he survived."
40,Tommie worked in the store and helped herself to the cash register. When she owed money she would take some and then ask him for some. 
41,She was in a car accident the paramedic recognized her and said he used to work in the store. 
42,You pray for a person and God will answer in his time. Husband had an aunt from Alabama that was put in nursing home up here. Said she wanted her body to go back to Alabama.
43,"When she died they made arrangements to bury her up here, Tommie called her friends down in Alabama to let them know. Within 2 hours the people from her church said they wanted her there."
44,They paid for her body to be brought down to Alabama. God answers prayers even after death.
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46,When younger lived by a lake and so they always had fish and fruit to eat. 
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