Elnora Bryant

On Friday, December 4, 1936, Elnora Augusta Kerns started her earthly existence with her parents Andrew and Isabella Kerns in Charlotte, North Carolina. She was born eleventh of twelve siblings and was affectionately known as the “Knee Baby.”

Elnora’s early education was received in the Charlotte Mecklenburg School District where she was a 1955 graduate of Second Ward High School, the first public high school for African American students in Charlotte. She then continued academic ventures at Winston Salem Teacher’s College where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education in 1959 with a Music Certification. She also completed work toward a master’s degree at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in the 1960s.

While on a break from college, she met the love of her life, Joel C. Bryant, on the Johnson C. Smith campus in Charlotte. After a long courtship, they were united in marriage on February 28, 1970, and this union was blessed with two daughters, Kimberly and Andrea.

After graduating, Elnora worked at University Park Elementary from 1959 to 1970 when she married and moved to Michigan. She taught second and seventh grades during her time at University Park Elementary and found creative ways to incorporate music and the arts in her teaching using a levels system. Even after retiring, she donated her time to music programs in the Lansing School District in her daughters’ schools and classrooms.

Elnora was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority since April 1957. During college, she pledged and crossed into the Gamma Lamba Chapter. When she graduated and moved back to Charlotte, she joined the Alpha Lambda Omega graduate chapter. Once settled in Lansing, she became a member of the Delta Tau Omega chapter achieving Pearl Soror status, a milestone awarded for a member who has dedicated over 65 years or more of service to the organization. Attaining Pearl Soror status signifies a lifetime of commitment to the sorority’s core values of sisterhood and service to all mankind.

Elnora had many special talents. She was a piano prodigy, never having piano lessons, but singing was her first love. Her vocal training began at home at 5 years old and she used her gifts at an early age in Seventh Street Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, along with many family members who filled the choir stand on Sunday mornings. She was a classically trained Coloratura / Lyric Soprano and performed at church, throughout the city and with her high school choir. Her angelic and pure voice earned her a college scholarship, and she often reminisced about traveling with her college choir, performing across the country. She was selected by the University president to sing a solo at her college graduation, a proud moment she has often reflected on through the years.

Elnora loved performing and sharing her gifts. She performed on concert stages across the country with her husband and daughters as an accompanist and vocal soloist. She was a member of the Social Security Scandals for many years, a popular Greater Lansing-area musical variety troupe of senior citizens. She even performed at Carnegie Hall in 2012 with the United Voices of Detroit, sharing this special moment on stage with her daughter, son, and grandson.

Elnora was an active member of North Westminster Presbyterian Church since the late 1970s, serving in various capacities throughout her life. She accompanied the Children’s Choir and was very active with the youth group. She was also a member of the Chancel Choir, performed solos and would even play for church some Sundays. She served multiple times as a Ruling Elder on session and was a very active member of the Worship / Christian Education committee. She loved her church family and often said she selected the church because it reminded her so much of First United Presbyterian Church in Charlotte.

Elnora was blessed with three grandchildren and loved them all dearly. They were a bright light in her life, and she always looked forward to spending time with them. They each had a special relationship and bond with her, and she often spoke of them with great pride for their accomplishments.

Mrs. Elnora Bryant, an educator, musician and devoted servant, ceased her earthly existence on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the age of 89 years old and will be deeply missed by family and friends.

She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Andrea (Aubrey) Pruitt, son-in-law Steven Dickens; grandchildren, Allen Roberts, II, Cameron Pruitt, and Stephanie Dickens; “adopted” granddaughter, Amber Maupin-Clark; special sister cousin, Constance Gaines; sister-in-law Gwendolyn McClure; God daughter, Kimberly Napier; special friends Carnell and Sandra Walker, Sheridan Carr, Johnsie Dease, Carrie Murray, Connie Ford, Andrea Smith, Betty Siders, Dorothy Sanders; and a host of other relatives, church members and friends.

She was predeceased by her husband, Joel. C. Bryant; daughter, Kimberly Dickens; parents, and 11 siblings.