Emma Lee Bryant was born on February 11, 1935, to the parentage of the late Levi Bryant and Sarah Elizabeth Southwell Bryant in Jasper, Texas. She was raised in the Rockhill Community and received her elementary schooling at the Rockhill Community School. She later transferred to J.H. Rowe and finished her high school diploma.

She was active in her church at an early age. She was baptized at a young age and worked diligently on various auxiliaries and sang in the choir.

After high school, Emma moved to Houston, Texas, and stayed there for a couple of years until her father's death, which caused her move back to Jasper to help her family. She was employed at Watson Purina Chicken Poultry in Jasper, Texas, and worked there faithfully for 35 years.

Emma had five children: three sons, Otis Lee Bryant (deceased), Horace Ray Bryant, and Richard Wayne Bryant; two daughters, Emma Lou Bryant Bevil and Sharon Nicole Bryant Adams.

She was the last living heir to her parents, who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her siblings, Victoria Adams, Besty Mae Irving, Sarah Jane Williams, Willie Bryant, J.B. Bryant, Elijah Bryant, C.C. Bryant, Annias Bryant, and Booker T. Bryant; and her grandson, Taylor Adams.

Emma leaves to cherish her precious memories: Reverend Horace Bryant, Sr. (Karen), Richard Wayne Bryant, Sr. (Patra- deceased), Emma Lou Bevil (Freddie), and Sharon N. Adams (Richard); twenty grandchildren, thirty-one great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends.