Edna "Penny" Bryan

 Edna “Penny” Hiatt Bryan, age 77, of Edgefield, SC, passed away peacefully on January 26, leaving behind a legacy of love, generosity, strong faith, and an impressive collection of shopping bags.

 Born on January 13, 1949 in Statesville, NC, Penny was the daughter of the late Evelyn and James Albert Hiatt. Her faith was the foundation of her life. Jesus Christ was her Lord and Savior, and she lived out that faith daily through kindness, generosity, and a heart for serving others. She was a devoted member of Berea Baptist Church, where her church family held a special place in her heart. 

 Penny was a retired school teacher, a role she embraced with patience, dedication, and genuine care for her students. Teaching was more than a career—it was a calling—and she touched countless lives through her years in the classroom.

 Outside of teaching, Penny proudly embraced what she considered her lifelong second profession: professional shopping. She firmly believed in the healing power of retail therapy and pursued it with enthusiasm and expertise—especially when a good sale was involved. 

 Penny expressed her love through generosity. She delighted in showering her grandchildren, family, and friends with gifts, always finding the perfect item and insisting it was “nothing.” Those who knew her understood that gift-giving was her love language, beautifully wrapped and given with joy.

 On December 20, 1969, Penny married the love of her life, Ernest “Bubber” Bryan, and together they shared 56 beautiful years of marriage. Their life together was marked by devotion, laughter, and deep companionship. Their bond was evident to all who knew them. 

 Penny was preceded in death by her son James Brantley Bryan. 

 She is survived by her beloved husband, Ernest “Bubber” Bryan; son Trey Bryan (Kelli); grandchildren Kayden, Trapp, Brianna, Rebecca and Rhett; brother Albert Hiatt, Jr. (Lenell); and many friends who will forever think of her when they pass a store window or find the perfect gift and say, “Penny would have loved this.”

 A visitation will be held from 11:30am-1:00pm on Monday, February 2, 2026, at Berea Baptist Church, 1675 Hwy 25 N., Edgefield, SC, with a 1:00pm service to follow. Burial will take place following the service at Little Stevens Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, 1194 Meeting St., Edgefield, SC.

 In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Boys Farm, PO Box 713, Newberry, SC 29108. 

 Penny will be deeply missed and joyfully remembered, and her family takes comfort in knowing she is now at peace, rejoicing in the presence of her Savior.