SUFFOLK — Shepard Bailey Bryant Jr., 79, passed away April 7, 2012. He was born in Isle of Wight County and was the son of the late Rosanna C. and Shepard B. Bryant. He was predeceased by his sister, Alma Dean Mason.

Shep was a cancer survivor, a member of Main Street United Methodist Church, and retired in 1991 after more than 30 years of service to the city of Suffolk as the Director of Public Utilities.

He is survived by his wife, Malene; daughter Sharon and husband Pat Suttle; grandson Patrick Suttle all of Suffolk; and sisters Ann Fagan of Hampton; and Eloise Atkins and husband Jack of Ivor.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, April 10, 2012, in the R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home and Crematory, 509 W. Washington St., at 11 a.m. by the Rev. Myrtle Frances Hatcher. The burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends in the funeral home on Monday, April 9, 2012, from 7 to 8 p.m. The family requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society, 604 Constance Woods Drive, Suffolk, VA 23434. Condolences may be registered at www.rwbakerfh.com.