Jackie Lee Ryant

Jackie  Lee  Ryant  was  born  on  Tuesday,  March  4,  1952  in  rural  Cope,  South  Carolina  to Clarence  “Mutt”  Ryant  and  Mable  “Missy”  Parker  Ryant.  He  departed  this  life  on Sunday,  May  2,  2021.  Jackie  also  known  as  “Jack”  joined  Canaan  United  Methodist Church  in  Cope,  South  Carolina  at  an  early  age  and  remained  a  faithful  member  until his untimely passing.

Jackie  was  a  graduate  of  Carver  High  School,  Class  of  1970,  where  he  played  football, basketball, and baseball and graduated #4 academically in the Top of his class.   He went on  to  attend  Livingstone  College,  Salisbury,  North  Carolina,  in  1971  where  he  played football  in  the  position  of  Defensive  End.  Jackie  graduated  from  Claflin  University, Orangeburg, South Carolina, with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a minor in Physical Education  in  1974.   He  also  played  on  the  Claflin  Panthers  Men's  Basketball  Team.  He later  obtained  a  Master’s  Degree  from  South  Carolina  State  University  in  Orangeburg, SC.

Jackie Lee Ryant began teaching at Edisto High School. He later  accepted a  position at Ruffin High School in Colleton County, South Carolina, where he was a Biology teacher, and  Head  football  and  track  coach.  Then,  he  took  a  position  at  St.  George  High  School where  he  was  the  Head  football  coach  and  a  Biology  teacher.  Continuing  to  make  his mark in education, Jackie began working at Woodland High School in Dorchester, South Carolina, where he helped to establish and build the football and track programs. In his later  years,  he  taught  at  both  Edisto  and  North  High  Schools  as  a  Biology  teacher  and Track  coach.  Jackie  was  a  renowned  coach  in  South  Carolina  and  beyond,  having  won numerous accolades and awards for his involvement in football and track.

Jackie   in   his   early   adulthood   enjoyed   teaching   Sunday   School   at   Canaan   United Methodist  Church  and  he  was  a  member  of  the  Men  of  Canaan  UMC.  He  enjoyed reminiscing about  family,  reading,  doing  crossword  puzzles,  fishing,  and  singing.  Those who  knew  Jackie  well  were  aware  of  his  immense  love  for  television,  especially  sports, Jeopardy, Westerns, Comedy, and wrestling.

Jackie had a pure heart and love for working with youth. He adored his daughters, Jade and  Jasmine.  Preceding  Jackie  in  death  were  his  parents,  Clarence  and  Mable  Ryant; four  brothers,  Clarence  Jr.,  Izell,  Robert,  Henry  and  one  sister,  Wanda  (Larry)  Salley. The  love  of  his  life,  wife,  Gwendolyn  Ryant,  preceded  him  in  death.  Jackie  leaves  to cherish  his  memories,  his  two  daughters,  Jasmine  Ryant  and  Jade  Ryant;  his  two  step- sons, John (Faith) Jones and Javan Jones, and his ten grandchildren (Kali, Simone, Kelsie, Jaylen,  Quintin,  Michael,  Gabrielle,  Naomi,  Christian,  and  John)  and  six  sisters,  Gloria (Eugene)   Boneparte,   Jessie   (Clarence)   Greene,   Mildred   Ryant,   Coffie   Major,   Pernell Ryant,  Mable Bradley,  two sister- in- laws, Geneva  Ryant and Janie Ryant, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The service will proceed as follows:

The viewing will be held on Wednesday, May 5,2021 at Glover's Funeral Home at 1:00pm until 7:00pm.

The funeral will be held on Thursday, May 6,2021 at Glover's Funeral Home beginning at 2:00pm. All those attending service must wear a mask and adhere to all COVID-19 rules and regulations. Service will be streamed live on our Facebook Page Glover's Funeral Home of Orangeburg.

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