Anita Bryant January 25, 1963 – May 8, 2024 On January 25, 1963, Anita Louise Bryant was born to Herbert and Ernestine Bryant in Philadelphia, PA. Anita lived with her mother, father, grandmother, and older sister Bridget in Philadelphia until 1964 when the family moved to Brooklyn, NY where her 2 younger sisters, Deidre and Yvette, were born. When Anita was about 3 years old, the family of 6 moved to Astoria, Queens where they stayed for the rest of Anita's childhood. During her early childhood years, Anita experienced frequent hospital stays for pneumonia and other illnesses. At around 5 years old, she was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease, a genetic disorder affecting red blood cells. This marked the beginning of a lifelong battle with the disease. Nevertheless, Anita persisted and continued to live her life as a smart, happy, and active girl.
Anita was a praying child who grew up to be a praying woman. Even as a young girl, Anita loved the LORD. She enjoyed going to church and Sunday School with her Uncle Bill. As she continued to experience Sickle Cell crises, she relentlessly pushed through, emerging stronger, more grateful, and with a renewed and ever growing love for God. She praised God through the peaks and even louder through the valleys. She never let her sickness stop her, dictate her mood, or damage her outlook on life.
Anita loved life and those around her. She loved to sing. She loved to dance. She loved to jump double dutch, and she was an absolute BEAST at it. She loved handball, so much so that she joined her High School handball team. However, most of all, she loved her family.
On November 27, 1984, Anita welcomed her first child, a son named Robert Rashwawn Isaac.On August 27, 1986 Anita welcomed her second child, a girl named Rakesha Rakima Isaac. Finally, on April 16, 1993, Anita welcomed her third child, Ava Leticia Isaac. In 2005, Anita found out she was expecting a grandchild. She was so happy, so that she sold her first home and bought another one closeer to where her grandchild would live. On June 19, 2006, her first grandchild, a beautiful baby girl Lashe Janess Taylor was born. That day Anita’s identity officially became Me nini. Her love was so vast and so strong that everyone who came into contact with her would now refer to her as such. Some would even affectionately call her a Me nini “to many”. Me nini and Lashe would go on to form an inseparable bond. Nine years later, on July 2, 2015, Me nini welcomed her second grandchild, another beautiful baby girl Dior Monet Lassic. Although Me nini loved her granddaughters, she desperately wanted a grandson. On March 11, 2023, her grandson Robert Azariah Isaac was born. Me nini loved her children, but her love for her grandchildren was unmatched. She was a very involved hands-on grandmother and still remained an involved handson parent to her adult children. Her children and grandchildren were her world. She did any and everything to make sure they were loved and well taken care of.
Anita was a lifelong learner who prioritized education, hard work, and personal improvement. She graduated from William C. Bryant High School in 1981. She then went on to join the U.S. Army where she would be honorably discharged due to her illness. On December 22, 1988, Anita started her career as a correctional officer for NYC Department of Corrections. Anita remained an active and involved parent while working a demanding job in corrections. She was never satisfied with doing the bare minimum; it just wasn't in her character. On July 16, 1999, Anita was promoted to Corrections Captain. After 25 years of service, she retired on August 26, 2014.
Anita was adventurous and always had goals she wanted to obtain in life from buying her first home in October 2002 to embarking on traveling adventures to various places including but not limited to Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Italy, and Alaska. After her retirement, she continued to raise and meet the challenges she set for herself. She graduated with an Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts from SUNY Orange. She later on received both a Phlebotomist license as well as a real estate license. She became heavily involved in the church, ascending to the position of deaconess and secretary while also leading various community and outreach projects such as the Church's food pantry.
Me nini was the type of person who would give you the clothes off her back. If you came to her with a problem, she would have a solution, and if she didn’t have a solution, she was quick to pray for you and let you know there’s nothing that her GOD couldn't handle. She loved the LORD, and she made sure those around her not only knew it, but felt it. Me nini had a happy loving soul, and there were three things you could always expect her to do: break out in song, break out in dance, or break out in prayer. If the day ended in “y”, you’d probably get all three.
On May 6, 2024, Me nini started experiencing pain symptoms from sickle cell disease. She drove herself to the E.R. (because that’s who she was, a fierce fighter). Two days later, May 8, 2024, at the age of 61, she succumbed to complications from her lifelong battle with Sickle Cell disease.On May 6, 2024, Me nini started experiencing pain symptoms from sickle cell disease.
She drove herself to the E.R. (because that’s who she was, a fierce fighter). Two days later, May 8, 2024, at the age of 61, she succumbed to complications from her lifelong battle with Sickle Cell disease.
Me nini was predeceased by her father Herbert Bryant and her mother Ernestine Bryant. Me nini is survived by her son Robert Rashawn Isaac, his wife Shanice Nicole Isaac, and their son Robert Azariah Isaac. Her daughter Rakesha Rakima Isaac, her children Lashe Janess Taylor and Dior Monet Lassic. Her daughter Ava Leticia Landry, her husband Jonathan Andrew Landry, and their cat children Pumpkin, Pecan and Rex Landry (her grand cats). Her 3 Siblings and a host of nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. In her final days, Me nini got a sudden urge to create her bucket list. She intended to complete everything on her list. The family asks that you take a copy of her bucket list and try to complete some of her adventures. Please feel free to let us know every time you complete something on her list. Her adventurous life and wonderful memory will live on through us all.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that you please make a donation to the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America in Anita’s name. Donations in Anita’s name can be made here: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/sickle-cell-disease-association-of-america-inc/tributememorial-donation/ava-landry
Funeral services will be held at the Melendez funeral home, Located at 30 Grove St, Middletown, NY 10940. Viewing hours are from 2-5pm, on Sunday May 19, Honor Guard will be present.
