Arvella Vereen Bryan

Arvella Vereen Bryan of Longs passed away on Sunday, May 12, 2024.

Arvella Vereen Bryan, affectionally know as Vella, was always helping others to advance. She was famous for making sweet potato pies, macaroni and cheese, planting flowers, quilting and making newborn baby blankets.

Vella was born on June 8, 1937, to the late Brinkley and Ruth Gause Vereen. She was the oldest of her siblings and the only girl.

Vella attended Chestnut High School. At an early age, she accepted Christ as her personal Savior and was a member of Popular AME Church. Vella later moved to New York and was employed as a household technician. In New York, she met and married the late Charles Bryan on July 5, 1973.

Vella moved back to South Carolina and began work in Popular AME Church where she was a faithful member until her health began to fail. While serving at church she was a Stewardess, YPD Youth Director, and sang in the Young Adult Choir. She was also a member of the Golden Girls Birthday Club. She loved to dress up in her fancy suits with a hat, purse, and shoes to match. She was employed as a household technician for the Lesnik Family, the Oneil Family, and the Branch family for many years and other families.

Vella is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brothers, William, Charlie, Ralph, and Willie.

Vella leaves cherished memories to her children, Vangeline  (McKenneth) Woodberry of Calabash, NC; James Vereen of Conway, SC Ruthie Vereen, Terry (Allison) Vereen, Carlos (Sandra) Bryan and Charlene (George) Willard, all of Longs, SC; Davontay Bryan and Tanay Willard of the home; a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her aunt, Sophie Vereen of New York, her sisters-in-law, Uzenia Vereen, Peggy Washington, Diane Croskey, Joann Oldom, Melody Parker and Helen Dixon; her brothers-in-law, Lawrence Washington, Dennis Washington, and Sipeoy Washington; her niece, the Uber Driver, Letecia (Ben) Lewis; her best friend for fifty-nine years, Ronnie (Marion) Chestnut; a host of sorrowing cousins, other relatives, and friends whom she loved dearly.

Vella gained her eternal wings” on Mother’s Day on May 12, 2024.

God Bless
Gore

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Popular AME Church in Longs.  Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Friday, May 17, 2024, at Ocean View Funeral Home and Beach Crematory, North Strand Chapel, 2410 Shields Road (Intersection of Hwy 57 and Shields Road). Little River, SC 29566.

The family will be receiving friends from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at the residence at 3174 Brinkley Road, Longs, SC 29568.

Ocean View Funeral Home and Beach Crematory, North Strand Chapel is assisting the Bryan Family.

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