Elaine Florence Bryant suddenly departed this life on Monday, February 5, 2024 at the age of 77 at her residence in Winston-Salem, NC.  Elaine was born on July 7, 1946 in Washington, DC, the daughter of the late Claude S. and Mary Whitfield Finney, one of four girls.  She received her early education from the DC Public Schools and graduated from McKinley Technical High School in 1965.  After graduation, she attended Strayer Business School and completed their administrative secretarial program.

Elaine began a long and successful career with the federal government in Washington, DC- first as a clerk typist and after multiple promotions over 40 years, she retired as an accounting assistant for the US Department of the Navy, at the Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado, CA.  After retirement, she returned to Washington, DC to care for her son, Jeffrey, after he survived a difficult surgery.

Elaine and Jeffrey moved to Winston-Salem, NC in December 2007 where she was actively involved in community service, including the Winston-Salem Parks and Recreation senior games, and as a volunteer greeter at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center.  Elaine found extraordinary joy in being able to welcome all to the medical center.  After serving as an exceptional volunteer, she was later hired by the medical center as a guest service representative, where she was according to all, "dearly loved."  Elaine also founded and directed a senior line dance group-Seniors in Motion- that provided seniors with the opportunity to gather for exercise, while engaging in gratifying socialization.  Elaine loved people and seized every opportunity to make a difference in the workplace and her community.

As a cancer survivor, Elaine was an avid activist for the importance of breast cancer research and awareness and was always adorned in pink.  She never let a breast cancer event go by without being involved and was even among those featured in a Winston-Salem Journal article in 2011.

Anyone who knew Elaine knew that she was a devoted and loving mother to her son, Jeffrey.  She also leaves to mourn her death her granddaughter, Jasmin Rene Bryant; great-grandson, Gabriel Eugene Spriestersbach; three sisters, Claudia Turner of Mocksville, NC, Jessie Parker of Monmouth Junction, NJ, and Minnie Baylor-Henry (Brent) of Boston, MA; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Elaine will be missed, but we have joy knowing that she is in the all-wise, all-loving hands of God.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30am Saturday, February 17, 2024 at the Russell Funeral Home Chapel.