Robert Blythe Bryson

Robert Blythe Bryson, of Asheville, died Monday January 23, 2017, at the WNC Baptist Home. Mr. Bryson was born in Richmond, VA on February 1, 1923, and moved to Buncombe Co. at an early age where he lived the remainder of his life. He was the son of the late Earnest Augustus Bryson, Sr., and Jennie Blythe Bryson. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Doris Bailey Bryson; two brothers, Earnest A. "Bud" Bryson, Jr. and Joseph S. "Stu" Bryson; and one sister, Sara Bryson Dalton. Mr. Bryson was a member of the Army Air Corps during World War II. He was a member of Merrimon Avenue Baptist Church where he was a deacon. He was employed by the Asheville Fire Department for 36 years, retiring as a District Chief in 1985. He was also a 60-year member of Mt. Hermon Lodge. He served the Asheville Scottish Rite as executive secretary for 19 years. In 1987, he was coroneted 33° in Washington, D.C. Mr. Bryson is survived by a daughter, Barbara Bryson Hastings and husband, James A. Hastings, of Durham, NC; a son, William T. Bryson, of Asheville, NC; a grandson, Christopher B. Hastings and wife Melissa, of Greenville, NC; a number of nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Ellen Silver. A graveside service will be at Green Hills Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. on Friday. Mt. Hermon Lodge will conduct the Masonic Graveside Service with masons as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Shriner's Hospitals for Children, 950 West Faris Rd., Greenville, SC 29605. Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family.