02/10/2026
Caroline Kelley Bryant, 90, of Orangeburg, SC passed away peacefully at home on February 9, 2026. Caroline was the widow of Alexander “Sandy” Bryant.
A graveside service will be held at 3:00 pm, Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at Memorial Park Cemetery, with Rev. Dr. Billy Hurst officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm, same day as the service at Dukes-Harley Funeral Home. Honored to serve as pallbearers are Mackie Bryant, Ryan Swaim, Darby Hallman, Robert Wall, and Sean Bendig. Honorary pallbearers are the former employees of Orangeburg Furniture Exchange.
Caroline was born in Olanta, South Carolina, to the late George Mood Kelley and Rebecca Player Kelley. Throughout her life, her love for Olanta never diminished as she always referred to it as “God’s Country.” In her younger years, the values of faith, family, and hard work were instilled in her as she helped with her family’s businesses. She graduated from Olanta High School, where she played on the women’s basketball team. After graduation, she attended the University of South Carolina and was a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority. While at USC, Caroline met her husband in a Spanish class, and they were married on June 14, 1956.
After graduating from USC and getting married, Caroline moved to Orangeburg. The love she had for her Olanta Family continued to grow even into her later years. In 1986, she and her husband became the owners of Orangeburg Furniture Exchange, where she worked by his side six days a week until August 2023. The family-owned business provided employment opportunities for her children and grandchildren, many of whom worked alongside her over the years. Affectionately known as “Mrs. Furniture Exchange,” Caroline continued working until an injury at the age of 88. Her deep love for long-time customers was evident in her strong desire to remain active at the store.
Caroline was a devoted member of First Presbyterian Church, where each of her children-and several of her grandchildren and one great-grandchild-were baptized as infants. At the age of 85, she fulfilled a lifelong dream by being baptized by submersion. She was also a member of the Second Saturday Steak Club, the Orangeburg Assembly, Junior Cotillion, and her beloved Bridge Club, which gave her lifelong friendships along with many cherished stories and bits of gossip.
Caroline a.k.a "Granny B" or "BB" found her greatest happiness in being with her grandchildren. It was often said that she loved her children, but she truly loved her grandchildren. Each grandchild held a special place in her heart and felt as though they were her favorite. She spent many years attending the varied sporting events of each of her grandchildren.
Caroline leaves behind to cherish her memories her son-in-law, John Wesley “Mac” Moore; son, Alexander McCorkle “Alex” Bryant, Jr. (Libby); daughter, Caroline Kelley Bryant Wannamaker (Rusty); grandchildren Caroline Moore Roberson, Amanda Mims Swaim (Ryan), Jaquelyn Elizabeth Bryant, Fran Moore Hallman (Darby), Alexander McCorkle “Mackie” Bryant, III (Karen), Kayla Mims Wall (Robert “Deuce”), and Robin Caroline Mims (Sean); step-grandchildren, Dan Moore (Tracy), Russ Wannamaker (Cara), and Clare Way (Dakota); great-grandchildren, Madalyn, Anna Caroline, and Grayson Smith, Ryker Swaim, Darby Hallman, Jr., John Robert Cope, Ras Swaim, Charley Hallman, and Joseph Bryant; sisters-in-law, Kay Kelley, Eilleen Kelley and Peggy Bryant; and many special nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her beloved daughter, Rebecca “Becky” Bryant Moore.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 536 Stanley Street, Orangeburg, SC 29115; New Hope Baptist Church, 4000 Riverside Drive, Orangeburg, SC, the Orangeburg Calhoun Free Medical Clinic, P. O. Box 505, Orangeburg, SC, 29116, or to a charity of one’s choice.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to her caregivers, Shirley Love, for her tireless efforts to nurture and care for her, and to Ms. Pat Cottingham for her friendship during the past few months. We would also like to thank the many loyal OFE customers who will always be considered family.
Caroline Kelley Bryant, 90, of Orangeburg, SC passed away peacefully at home on February 9, 2026. Caroline was the widow of Alexander Sandy Bryant. A graveside service will be held at 300 pm, Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at Memorial Park Cemetery, with Rev. Dr. Billy Hurst officiating. The family w...