Howard Lee Bright

On June 11, 1950, the world was blessed to receive a loving angel, Howard Lee Bright.  Born to the late Herbert Garfield Bright and Jessierine Davis Bright, he was the third child of nine children.  Preceded in death by his sister, the late Gwendolyn Bright Wright Chisolm and sister-in-law, Mamie Fryar, Howard completed his earthly journey on July 7, 2022.

To know Howard was to love him. For his 72 years of life, Howard was known as a fun loving, jovial person.  He was a graduate of Colleton High School where he played on the Wolverines football team.  Howard worked for many years at JP Stevens and CCX as a supervisor. Howard later worked for the Colleton County School District in its maintenance department until his retirement.

Howard was married to Beatrice Yates Bright for fifty-one (51) years and of this union, three (3) children were born. Howard displayed his love for God at an early age becoming a member of Isiah United Methodist Church but later transferred his membership to Red Root United Methodist Church. 

Howard was a true comedian who had a God-given talent to warm the spirit and make a person laugh.  He was an avid fisherman and hunter.  He was a member of the Bush Beaters Hunting Club for over 40 years and was the hunt club’s comedian, head cook and mentor to many young hunters. He always displayed his love for comedy, fishing and family. He taught many friends and family the art of fishing, carpentry and hunting. He loved creating his all-time favorite fried fish with his secret recipe. He loved celebrating his birthdays with friends and families by sharing a feast. His fried fish was sure to hit the spot.

Howard leaves many to cherish his memories: his devoted wife, Beatrice Yates Bright, of Ruffin, S.C.; his daughter Marchelle (Kimble) Walters, of Charlotte, N.C.; his son, Shannon (Elizabeth) Bright, of Walterboro, S.C.; his daughter, La Tonya (James) Britt, of Ruffin, S.C.; a granddaughter raised in the home, Je’Lacee Bright of Ruffin, S.C. He also leaves thirteen (13) grandchildren and twenty (20) great-grandchildren. His surviving siblings are Herman (Anna) Bright of Walterboro, S.C.; Cephus (Dr. Gwendolyn) Bright of Columbia, S.C.; Polly Bright Green of Graniteville, S.C.; Jessie Ruth Burgess of Walterboro, S.C.; Gracie (Leroy) Williams of High Springs, FL.; Herbert “Bubba” Bright of Beaufort, S.C.; Senator Margie (Patrick) Matthews of Beaufort, S.C. Howard’s in-laws are Sheldonia (Jerry) Henderson of Walterboro, S.C.; Diane Fryar of Ruffin, S.C.; Frankie (Lavern) Fryar of Walterboro, S.C.; and Kenneth Fryar  of Ruffin, S.C.; Linda Frampton-Grayson of Bristow, V.A.; Earlene Frampton-Moore of Poconos, P.A.; Dr. Leola Adams of Orangeburg, S.C.; and Vonzola Adams of Linden, N.J. He also leaves to cherish his memories four (4) aunts, Flora Bell Stephens, Patricia Bright, Marian Bright and Mildred Yates. To continue his spirit, Howard leaves a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

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