Chris Bryan was 10 years old when she attended her first Florida-Georgia football game. She graduated from the University of Florida before coming home to Fernandina Beach. She was president of Gator Boosters from 2008-09. Submitted
Fernandina Beach is feeling the loss of one of its own, Chris Bryan, a native who worked tirelessly to give to the community she called home.
Born in Fernandina Beach, she graduated from Fernandina Beach High School and then the University of Florida. She returned to Amelia Island in 1970, where she and her husband, Bill, raised two daughters.
Bryan was a founding member of the McArthur Family YMCA in Fernandina Beach, served on the board of Baptist Medical Center Nassau and the Baptist Health Foundation board. She was a founding member of the Fernandina Beach High School Foundation and was involved with the Nassau County Council on Aging.
Ray Cline is a McArthur Family YMCA board member and shared his thoughts about Bryan.
“I first met Chris in 1987 as a part of a community coalition to start a YMCA in Fernandina Beach,” Cline told the News-Leader. “While the group was fairly large at 25 members, Chris was clearly one of the most active, most involved and most enthusiastic. In the years since then, I had the privilege and pleasure of working with Chris on many committees and other volunteer activities for the Y. She was always first to take on leadership responsibilities and spur others on to be involved. Her approach was typically not a ‘what should we do’ manner but rather a ‘let’s get this done’ approach. Through thick and thin, Chris was always smiling, always cheerful and certainly one of the most active philanthropic volunteers in this community of ours. Her presence will most definitely be missed.”
Fernandina Beach Mayor and FBHS alumnus Bradley Bean recalled how Bryan gave back to the school.
“Chris cared about our community and was always there to make a difference,” Bean said. “Among many other examples, one is the Quarterback Club raffle, supporting the Pirate football team. She would buy 10 times the number of tickets the average person would, and if she won, would donate the prize money back to the kids. She is someone worth looking up to, and it was an honor to know her. Chris Bryan has made Fernandina a better place.”
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 18, at Memorial United Methodist Church, 601 Centre St. in Fernandina Beach. The family will welcome friends on Wednesday, Jan. 17, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Oxley-Heard Funeral Home, 1305 Atlantic Ave. in Fernandina Beach.
She will be interred at Bosque Bello Cemetery in a private graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Memorial United Methodist Church, 601 Centre St., Fernandina Beach, FL 32034, or to the Bryan Family Endowment providing education and training for nurses at Baptist Nassau of the Baptist Health Foundation, 841 Prudential Drive, Suite 1300, Jacksonville, FL 32207.