Patricia Ann (Sales) Bryant

“And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”

Revelation 14:13

Patricia Ann Sales Fluker Bryant was called home to the Lord on July 30, 2020 in Augusta, GA at the age of 70, after a battle with leukemia and pneumonia. Patricia was born January 17, 1950 to the late Gloria Swanson Walls and Mark Miller Lattin and raised by Stepfather Fred Sales in Memphis, Tennessee. She was later adopted by her aunt and uncle, the late Clementine and John Stephens in Atlanta, GA. Patricia was raised with a strong foundation rooted in love, discipline, and servitude. She was a graduate of Harper High School Class of 1968 and attended Morris Brown College, where she pursued a bachelor’s degree in Music Studies. After completing her studies in the Class of 1972, Pat enjoyed traveling the world as a Stewardess for Southern Airways. She later became a sales representative for Dudley Hair Products in Tennille, GA where she met Tony Bryant. She was mesmerized by him and the two fell in love. He soon became a loving husband to Pat and an amazing father to not only her daughter Atoia, but also a father to Robert, Katrina, KyAndre and Juniah Walls. Patricia and Tony were married on June 19, 1992.  For 28 years, the two shared a beautiful life. While Patricia faced many health challenges throughout her life, one thing that remained constant was the nurturing support and care from Tony.

While she had a fruitful career, singing was Patricia’s greatest passion and life’s work. She blessed many lives with her melodious voice. The first signs of her musical talents were evident during an assembly at Collier Heights Elementary School, where she sang “Bless This House.” As a student at Harper High School, she was a soloist for multiple musicals, further fueling her passion. Her resounding voice reached the big stage when she became the first black vocalist at the Crystal Pistol Theater at Six Flags Over Georgia and Texas. Patricia then went on to sing for several great leaders, including Bishop Desmond Tutu, Maynard Jackson, Governors Joe Harris & Zell Miller, and at the first National Martin Luther King Holiday Celebration.

One of her most significant accomplishments was her ensemble, “Pat and Friends,” held at Sandersville United Methodist Church. For the first time in Washington County history, blacks and whites came together in large numbers to witness a live performance other than a sporting event. Her beautiful voice was a source that powerfully brought people together. As an active member and past president of the Sandersville Music Club, Patricia was instrumental in hosting the Morehouse College Glee Club for an outstanding performance at the Sandersville Elementary School. Patricia was also active in the Waycross Area Community Theatre, Sandersville Community Theater, and the Reginald Taylor Musical Choir in Waycross, GA. Also, Pat was the Commentator for Vouge Modeling Agency under the direction of Mrs. Vida Virgil.

Patricia was a member of the Grace Episcopal Church in Sandersville, GA for the last 30 years, where she served as Senior Warden. Throughout her life, she was a servant of the community. She served as a Congressional Aid in Waycross, GA for Congressman James Roy Rowland, Jr. From 1986-1989; and served as his office manager.  Under the Leadership of the Albany State Alumni, Patricia chaired the first Debutante Cotillion in Waycross, GA in 1975.  During the ‘80s, Pat served on the National King Holiday Commission under President Ronald Reagan. She was one of the coordinators and etiquette instructors for The Atlanta Links Cotillion. During her time in Tennille, she led the implementation of programs to develop creativity in youth at the Washington County Council of the Aging. She assisted in career development for honors graduates in Washington County and four other surrounding counties. Patricia also served as advisor for T.I.M.E. (Teenagers In the Move for Eighty), for the Waycross High School Class of 1980.

Patricia is survived by her loving and supportive husband, Tony Bryant and her only daughter whom she adores, Atoia Natate Fluker. She also raised Vickie Lane, her nieces and nephews; Robert Walls, Katrina Walls, KyAndre Walls and Juniah Walls. They also became her children. In addition to her children, Pat is survived by her sisters Gail Wilkerson of Atlanta, GA, Tanya Malone and Wanda Gail Walls both of Memphis, TN, Delilah Crowder of Los Angeles, CA. She was preceded in life by her daughter Nikaya Monee Fluker; siblings Donald Walls Sr, James Walls Jr, Verline Walls, Franklin Walls and Barbara Walls. She is survived by a host of aunts, an uncle, nieces, nephews, cousins, very dear to her heart girlfriends who are like her sisters (Belinda Palmer, Lynda Bair-Porcher, Belinda Glover, Celia Bynes, Valerie Holloman, Joy Green, Marylin Moses, Andria Stokes, Yvonne Peek, Elizabeth Lamar, Mary Archer, Sandra Jackman, Ursula Minor, Freida Neely, Dana Taylor, Ann Williams-Brown, Marian Soloman-Gaines, Penny Hughley, Sylvia Hill and Gloria Dumas) and other close friends.

"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King."

Psalms 98:4-6, KJV

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