Ralph J. Bryson Obituary in Montgomery at Ross-Clayton Funeral Home, Inc.

Obituary For Ralph J. Bryson

Dr. Ralph Joseph Bryson was a resident of Montgomery, AL. He transitioned on February 12, 2022. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. rites (private ceremony) will be held Tuesday, February 22, 2022 from 6-7 p.m. and public visitation from 7-8 p.m. at True Divine Baptist Church, 4601 Troy Hwy., Montgomery, AL 36116. The body will lie in state from 10 a.m. until the funeral service at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at True Divine Baptist Church, Rev. Steven Huntley, Pastor. Rev. Cromwell Handy, Pastor, Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, officiating. Interment will be at Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati, OH. Due to COVID-19 Restrictions, FACE MASK REQUIRED. Dr. Ralph Joseph Bryson was born the son of Rass and Annie Bryson in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 10th day of September 1922. He and his sister, Dorothy Louise Bryson Lowe (deceased) grew up in Madisonville, Ohio. During his childhood he learned to play the piano and became an avid bridge player. He is a graduate of Withrow High School. While completing his Bachelor of Science Degree at the University of Cincinnati in 1947, he was employed at a newspaper printing press, his interests for the written word grew into a great passion. During his studies, he was drafted into the U.S. Army during WWII where he read maps and participated in the Battle of the Bulge, which aided in the liberation of Southern France. He was part of the invasion of Europe 1944 and served as a member of the 43rd Transport Battalion. Then he earned a Master of Education Degree 1950 and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in 1952 from The Ohio State University. Dr. Bryson accepted Christ at an early age. He joined Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, now known as Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist, in 1953 where he served faithfully as: an usher, ministry leader of the September Birthday Club, an avid supporter of all ministry programs and events including the Tourism Ministry. Dr. Bryson was a colleague of various Civil Rights icons. Dr. Bryson had a valuable friendship with the icon Mrs. Jo Ann Robinson, who helped to begin The Montgomery Bus Boycott. Dr. Bryson was always willing to cheerfully share his eyewitness accounts of The Modern Civil Rights Movement. Dr. Bryson began his career in education, as a middle school English teacher, in North Carolina. Then he taught at Southern University and at Miles College as a professor of English literature. But since 1953 he spent most of his years at Alabama State University where he participated as an acting Department Chair and as a professor of African American Literature. Dr. Bryson served a 59-year tenure at Alabama State University; before retiring in 2012. He was honored as Professor of Emeritus and when requested, Dr. Bryson continued to serve Alabama State University. Dr. Bryson mentored many students. He published numerous empirical works. Dr. Bryson participated on standardized test committees in order to make sure that various standardized testing companies do not subjectively discriminate against students, as learners, by the use of ‘othering’ students of color through the use of written and unwritten language. Dr. Bryson was a Grand Historian of Kappa Alpha Psi, (1997-2011). He was the 64th Laurel Wreath Laureate and the 56th Elder Watson Diggs Awardee. He has served as a mentor to countless Kappa Alpha Psi brothers. He was the second editor of the “Books and Such,” column for The Kappa Alpha Psi Journal (1969-1982), and the author of the 5th edition of, “The Story of Kappa Alpha Psi, as well as the coauthor The History of the Southern Province” (1997). Dr. Bryson donated an office building, The Dr. Ralph J. Bryson Computer Laboratory, to use within the Bryson Community Center as well as a house to the fraternity. Dr. Bryson has earned the highest honors from his beloved Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. His professional honors include scholarships on the behalf of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated as well as scholarships on the behalf of the University of Cincinnati and The Ohio State University. Such scholarships are as given: College of Education and Human ecology; The Bryson Endowment Scholarship, The Ohio State University, College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services and Information Technology, University of Cincinnati, Bryson Endowed Scholarship. Dr. Bryson was preceded in death by his parents, Rass and Annie Bryson; his sister, Dorothy Louise Bryson Lowe and grandniece Dorothy-Ann Beatrice “Trissie” Lowe. He is survived by: his nephew, Benjamin Sparkman Lowe, Jr.; niece-in-law Marion Margaret Roach Lowe; grandnieces: Clarissa Heather Roach Lowe and Margaret-Ann Nicole Lowe, as well as great grandniece, Mariah Ariel Lowe. He will be greatly missed by all. In lieu of flowers the family of Dr. Bryson asks that donations be made in his honor to the national, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated.

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I became President of my Sacramento California Bridge Club ,Tks to Dr. Bryson and his continuous mentorship throughout my life, His name was always mentioned during my life's many presentations. I still remember the poems I wrote in his class. Dr was an extraordinary individual. Clarence Varner

Sometimes we owe others debts, that we can never repay. Our parents and grandparents ❤ are examples of people that have poured love and time into our lives, which we are forever indebted to them. Such is the case with Dr. Ralph J Bryson. The Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated Beta Zeta Chapter has thousands of brothers that have an obligation to be the best that we can be. In endeavoring to pay our debt, we glorify God because we serve Him and we make Dr Bryson proud because we represent the ideals of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated!!! In Christ and The Bond, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated, Beta Zeta Chapter ♦️♦️♦️

Sending heartfelt condolences.

You will definitely be missed. Rest well Doc.👌
B. Boswell

The Brothers of Nu Pi Lambda Alumni Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Arlington, TX express our deepest condolences pertaining to the eminent scholar, gentleman and servant that Dr. Bryson was at Alabama State University, in Montgomery, the State of Alabama, the nation and the world. The Men of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated have lost a giant of a brother and we express our esteem for the servant that Dr. Bryson was also.
May he rest in peace.

Dr.Ralph J. Bryson, thank you for the impact you had on my life and the lives of so many others.I will be eternally grateful. May your family and friends find peace and comfort at this time. Deloris L.Davis

With sincere condolences

Dr. B., as he was affectionately known to his neighbors, was such an asset to our neighborhood. He was an original homeowner in The Timbers, and he was always so pleasant to everyone he met. We certainly enjoyed having him as a neighbor, and he will surely be missed.
Our condolences to Dr. B.'s Kappa Alpha Psi brothers who took such good care of him....meeting every need in his last months here.
Dennis, Donna, and David Johnson

Dr. Bryson was the epitome of professionalism, a gentleman, and a pleasure to greet and see at all times. Lettie Ross

Dr. Ralph J. Bryson's tenure as renowned English Professor and Chairperson will go down in history as one of the legends at Alabama State University. At the spritely age of thirty-two, Dr. Bryson joined forces with the academic leaders at ASU and labored willingly, diligently and untiringly to assist in lifting ASU to its current status of Academic excellence, achievement and national recognition. Dr. Bryson's imprimatur can be found in numerous literary and legal documents, emanating from administrative offices at ASU. As an Ohio native, he became so fond of ASU, its people and its environs that he chose to make Montgomery his permanent home, for nearly fifty years. We are all the better because of his choice of residence. Thanks Dr. Bryson, it was my pleasure to serve with you and beside you for more than forty years at ASU. (Charles Varner, Jr., former ASU Vice President for University Advancement.)

Prayers of comfort to the family of the legendary Dr. Ralph J. Bryson who touched the lives of many students at ASU. We shall always remember his wisdom, kindness, and many years of dedicated service. Mable Pryor.

OUR SYMPATHY TO THE FAMIL,DR.BRYSON WILL BE DEEPLY MISSED CARL AND DORIS COOLEY.🙏🙏❤

To an extraordinary educator, mentor, advisor, writer, and leader. A true man of Achievement! Dr Bryson, you will be dearly missed. Your legacy at ASU and in Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity will live forever.

To the Byson family Dr. Bryson was a smart an educated Professor during his tenure at Alabama State University. I am proud to have been one of his students, and his lectures were and inspiration to my career. I pray that his place in heaven was solidified by his earthly work many years ago.
James A. Myers

Prayers of comfort to the family of Dr. Ralph J. Bryson. May you find peace during this season of bereavement. WE celebrate with you a life well lived by Dr. Bryson. He will be missed but his legacy will remain with us forever. Eudessa Reese, Deacon Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church - Montgomery

Dr. Ralph Bryson, thank you sir for nurturing my literary voice. I was one of the fortunate students at Alabama State University that took Dr. Bryson's English Literature class...he was a classic man who got joy from our understanding of the classics. Thank you for giving us space to learn and appreciate life and literature.

Dr. Ralph Bryson will always be remembered as an outstanding educator of American and English Literature at Alabama State University. He was very good. I really enjoyed his classes. English was my minor. Dr. Bryson was one of my mentors. He will never be forgotten. May the Lord grant You eternal rest in His Kingdom. Rest Well, Dr. Bryson.🎈 Leontyne Provo Pringle of Ramer, Alabama is sending prayers 🙏🏿🙏🏿 and condolences to the Bryson Family.❤️

Live on in the minds of many that you nurtured.

Dr. Ralph Bryson was a man of extraordinary intelligence and grace. The legacy he has left in his teaching of thousands of students, in his wisdom, and in his generosity will be forever missed. May his family find peace in this time of mourning and of celebration of a life well-lived. Jacqueline Allen Trimble, Alabama State University

Dr.Bryson, May your legacy live on in aspiring the young to do their best.

Dr. Ralph Bryson will be missed among his church family, Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist. Thanks you Dr. Bryson and your legacy will continue in many of the lives that you changed. We love you and we know that God loved you best. You have gone on to eternal life, a promise made to you at birth. Rest...

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