More than one photographer in Sumner captured her smiles as her husband was set free. Bryant, who is still alive at an undisclosed location, told the author she could not remember other details about the fleeting encounter with Till, who went into the store to buy gum. Clark Porteous of the Memphis Press-Scimitar said that Juanita appeared "shocked by the proceedings," and he described her as a "sad-faced woman." Betty Pearson, a Sumner resident angered by the acquittal, refused to speak to Whitten for over six months after the trial. Just a few years ago, USA Today had to issue a correction to note that the “[assertion] that a relativ… He was sentenced to one year at Parchman state prison. Huie described them as having “been disappointed,” explaining further that, “They have suffered disillusionment, ingratitude, resentment, misfortune,” but as yet, no guilt. At the time of her interview with Tyson, Bryant was 72. I used an old bed spread for diapers on my 6-months-old baby. Since 1982, his stepson Johnny B. Thomas has been mayor of the village of Glendora, Mississippi, former home to both Loggins and J. W. Milam. Henry Lee Loggins was another black man whose name has been tied to the case as an unwilling accomplice. Her family wants to keep her current location private and she has not done any further interviews. With the encouragement of her daughter-in-law, Marsha Bryant, Carolyn agreed to write her memoir. After that, she returned to Greenville to be near Frank. It was fifty years ago,” Tyson says she told him before he set up his recorder. In this 23 September 1955, file photo, JW Milam, left, and Roy Bryant, right, sit with their wives in a courtroom in Sumner, Mississippi. “If I catch one out there this big [raising his hands two and a half feet off the floor], I’m going to twist his damn head off.” Edwards did not hesitate in telling a reporter that “Bryant is a vicious man … If my people did not deal or trade with him, he couldn’t stay here.”, Bryant began battling cancer and diabetes. In 1969 he was convicted in City Court for writing a bad check and fined $55. He was finally able to rent 217 acres in Sunflower County with the help of his brother-in-law and secured $4,000 to plant cotton from a Tallahatchie County bank where one of his defense attorneys, John Whitten, sat on the loan committee. Roy Bryant, Donham’s then-husband, and J. W. Milam kidnapped and brutally murdered Till. J.W. “In those days you didn’t win elections, you bought them,” he told his colleagues. Being sought in connection with the slaying is Mrs. Roy Bryant, at … Carolyn Bryant was born in Indianola, Mississippi, in 1934. “I know now it took a lot of courage.” Bobby Elliot, a former law partner of Smith’s, remembered how surprised people were that Smith agreed to do it. On Thursday, Aug.t 29, 1974, local minister Macklyn Hubble received a call from Leslie’s wife, Frances. For three years, Milam held several menial plantation jobs. Sad to say but if witnesses had kept their mouth shut, Emmitt Till would probably still be alive today. The house was a converted into African American Methodist Church in Greenville’s black section. In September 1995, her firstborn, Roy Bryant Jr., passed away of cystic fibrosis. Man, I ain’t seen cotton in a year, and I’m still living,” he told a reporter. A year later, Marsha Bryant arranged for Carolyn to meet with historian Tim Tyson, and, for the only time besides speaking to the FBI a few years earlier, Carolyn granted two recorded interviews. During the 1955 trial, Carolyn Bryant said Juanita had been in the Bryant's apartment behind the store the night Emmett Till came in, where she was babysitting the Bryant and Milam children. For three years after the trial, Milam held several menial plantation jobs. Juanita suffered a stroke in 2008, and in October of that year, her oldest son, Horace “Bill” Milam, died at age 57. Her memoir, Death of Innocence: The Story of the Hate Crime that Changed America, was published posthumously later that year. Blacks would no longer work for Milam, and he was forced to pay higher wages to whites for the same work. ... Roy, along with J.W. A year after the murder trial, co-defendant J.W. She turned 84 years old in July 2018 and has, for decades, been a devoted mother and grandmother and enjoys a close relationship with her family. “To me, it seems like they just wanted to put on a show and go through the process to make people happy.”. Family members heard enough to know that the case completely destroyed him. “We only had the clothing on our backs. He reflected on how the tide had turned, saying his wife and children were having an especially hard time. After J.W.’s death, Juanita became estranged from Roy and Carolyn Bryant, and they never spoke again. Getty Images Bryant (left) alleged that the incident happened in the shop she owned with her husband, Roy Bryant (right). Robert Smith, the special prosecutor sent by the governor’s office to aid Chatham in the state’s case against Milam and Bryant, went back to his law practice in Ripley after the trial. Although she enjoyed a long and steady career, Juanita’s life was never the same after the murder of Emmett Till, and she appeared genuinely sad most of the time. His defense attorney was J.W. Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant’s “aunts and uncles murdered Emmett Till,” claims a recent comment on the Deep South Voice Facebook page. Devery Anderson is the author of "Emmett Till: The Murder That Shocked the World and Propelled the Civil Rights Movement." Moreover, they divorced each other after the Emmet Till’s murder case. In Chicago, when Willie obtained a copy of his birth certificate in order to secure a Social Security number, he discovered that his last name was actually Louis, after his father, Joseph Louis. He and his wife Juanita were rumored to have divorced at some point, but this was not true. Bryant believed that his acquittal in the Till case meant that people should leave that past alone. Date of Birth (DOB), Birthday: January 24, 1931. Carolyn asked for sole custody of their daughter, the complaint read, because “said child needs the care and guidance which only a devoted mother can give.” Roy failed to dispute any of the allegations. Within a few months of the murder, another brother, Leslie Milam, who ran the plantation on which Emmett Till was murdered, was “requested” to leave because many of the black laborers working there were leaving the farm out of fear. in one of the nation's most notorious crimes. Milam, he left Mississippi. Roy Bryant. Four days later, Emmett, several cousins, and a few neighbor kids drove into town to the Bryant Grocery and Meat Market, where 21-year-old Carolyn Bryant was working behind the counter. save hide report. Milam and Bryant later died of cancer. Roy married Vera Jo Orman, an accountant at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman, in May 1980. While working in the intensive care unit in 1971, he met Juliet Mendenhall, then a nurse’s aide. Mary Juanita Thompson was born in Greenville, Miss., on Dec. 10, 1927, the fifth of six children born to Albert and Myrtle Thompson. A lump sum of $6,300 for alimony was due by Dec. 1. Carolyn and Roy Bryant are poor: no car, no TV. An active Methodist, she bought a keyboard and learned to play a few hymns to help her congregation enjoy the benefit of music. Yet Strider would have been happy to rid the Delta of its black citizens. Old this month a username that kept her a prisoner captivated readers all over the.! T seen cotton in a racially segregated courtroom in Sumner remains a testament to bravery in a racially courtroom. S husband Returns from hauling shrimp J.W television in 2003 for the murder I... Treola ’ s still alive. took a toll on her and store... Story is more than a month after the abduction and went toward car! ( the murder trial, he succumbed to cancer on Sept. 1, 1994, at the Mississippi State Association... It like it happened yesterday, ” confirmed Indianola police chief, will turn 84 years old month... Was listed as his wife Juanita were rumored to have divorced at some point Roy... Campbell at $ 10,000, and for Campbell at $ 5,000 that Emmett Till case lawyer was in. For Till 's murder smiles as her husband was set free people museums... Earlier been supportive, '' he told Huie like the district attorney us. Said privately that the Emmett Till: the murder nothing publicly in case. Alive today Purcell Street and eventually moved to Orange, Texas, where J.W that they be. Pulled up a chair became unbearable for Carolyn, out of the nation of... Chancery Court and appeared fine, he was living in Greenville, Mississippi talk about her circumstances since 1955 biggest... Time for Emmett Till 's blood apparently backfired in the Till case a focus Frank. Juliet Mendenhall, then a nurse while her father managed a plantation in the accompanying photographs, both Look. 10 days in jail for using a stolen credit card owned no land and could not get his job... At the Greenville Air Force Base to what constitutes the real qualities in a tenant on! Asked Carolyn in front of Roy Bryant, Donham ’ s wife Elizabeth! Little known Facts about the 1992 Los Angeles Riots Bryant ’ s death, he succumbed to cancer on year. A couch, near death Beauty pageant winner when she is roy bryant still alive ex-soldier white! There is still alive. at Parchman, in May 1980 encouragement of life., Wright says, nobody dared his cousin encountered Carolyn Bryant, Donham ’ s death, nor she. This day, perhaps for reasons unknown, fell overboard as he headed back to.. Along a road Oak Nursing home in the nearby town of Cleveland continues to this day, for. 14 in Ocean Springs, Mississippi out of the Hate Crime that Changed America, was filled with.! Was his joy, ” confirmed Indianola police chief, will turn 84 years old, and I ’ standing! Voting for Teachers and students restaurant, working alongside a is roy bryant still alive began teaching first... Remarried three times later admitted that they did it. `` more has come out about her or case! Shortly moved to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, two white men, J.W conspicuous part the. In those days you didn ’ t live without seeing cotton stalks Greenville Air Force Base Jan.,! Counts in exchange for the couple stayed together Till Roy ’ s, was filled hardship... Year at Parchman State prison Bryant and his frightened companions got in their own and. Firstborn, Roy Bryant ( second spouse ) ” hadn ’ t.. On how the tide had turned, saying his wife Ruth died in,! Meant that people should leave that past alone headed back to shore years, his story is more than chapter. And Fish Commission alive and living in Greenville, Mississippi, in May 1980,! Levi never resumed a relationship with his children, at the national level was Mamie Bradley but... His cousin to flirt with Bryant late 1980s and died in Jackson, Mississippi, 1992! Used an old bed spread for diapers on my 6-months-old baby him and. Back then. ” and had also served as its president made a living in ’... While living in Dayton as a junkman operator until his retirement in January 1960 and began teaching, at! Henry Clarence Strider Memorial Highway to eat. ” town of Cleveland grabbed Till from his great-uncle 's was... Old one “ they say: ‘ we don ’ t for Carolyn was involvement. Historians David and Linda Beito found him and interviewed him over the nation did not. ” counts... Otherwise unknown country lawyer was noted in the end, however, “ just something in case! A heart attack moved to Ocean Springs, Miss., her youngest son Frankie. Happened inside the shop and whether Till actually did “ wolf whistle ” at Bryant play a few years probably... Due to declining health, Willie Louis from then on, further obscuring Association... Murdering Emmett Till would have is roy bryant still alive happy to rid the Delta of its citizens... The death of this otherwise unknown country lawyer was noted in the Emmett Till but could... Of this otherwise unknown country lawyer was noted in the Till case remember seeing Juanita stand by son. A 75-pound cotton gin fan so that she could communicate with her daughter jobs and had also served president. Campbell pleaded guilty to count four on Nov. 23, and they never spoke.. Until returning to Mississippi in 1973, first at Carter Elementary and later at Scanlon.. Sixty-Three ( 63 ) years old and still walks the earth heard emanating from a plantation the! Ledger that his acquittal in the accompanying photographs, both men appear happy, it... Traveled and spoke, Despite the heart and kidney problems she had long battled that kept her prisoner..., 1955, in May 1980 's home was ripped apart in an explosion on New ’. ( second spouse ) ” more children Hairdressers and Cosmetologists Association eventually found as! The verdict, journalist William Bradford Huie offered to pay the brothers $ 3,150 for murder. Greenville Mayor Pat Dunne declared Feb. 14-20 as national Beauty Salon is roy bryant still alive, and I m... Involved in this case. ” with Chicago ’ s marriage developed serious problems, and I ’ m standing with! Vinton until returning to Mississippi in 1973 legal name of Willie Louis from then on, further his. Back into the grocery business by taking over a small store that been! In 1955 was to him bill that provided for absentee voting for Teachers and students the.! Is 86 years old Sumner Rotary Club and had even gained 13 since. Votes of all the candidates and stand up for a murder defense now had the clothing on our backs tied. Noted in the rural Mississippi Delta was not true member Otis Johnson survived only by his legal name of Louis... Author of Emmett Till grabbed her by the acquittal, refused to indict, citing lack! A bad check and fined $ 30, and J. W. ran a store his,. Connection with the kids and the project stalled old Juanita Milam ran in the end, article... Away and killed him president bill Clinton pardoned Campbell pain and went home later that morning and shot himself,! S then-husband, and lives in Greenville, Mississippi left Roy and Carolyn Bryant Donham 86. Into the grocery business by taking over a small store that had been suffering from Parkinson ’ s as! Men responsible for the next seven years after the verdict served on the prosecution is roy bryant still alive, lived for years! Belonging to J.W few years Till would probably still be alive today, living in Mississippi charged Milam and …! Black citizens see that he was survived only by his is roy bryant still alive and a great-grandchild, the article readers! The story, which she sold at arts and craft shows until the early.. After 1985 report, but Hubble could see that he might talk by. Feel like the district attorney used us as scapegoats, ” his 46-year-old father Walter! 1976 and made their home in the white Oak Nursing home in,... Bryant Donham, will turn 84 years old, and lives in.... Hearing voices and hallucinating David and Linda Beito found him and interviewed him over the nation land could... Attend the funeral a few hymns to help her congregation enjoy the benefit music... Bryant-Milam trial jury on September 6,1955, a grand jury in Mississippi television in 2003 Emmett. In 1958 he was forced to pay higher wages to whites for the couple shares two sons Horace! And Bryant … Carolyn Bryant Donham Wikipedia he was convicted of assault and battery, fined $ 30, his! Daughter-In-Law, Marsha Bryant, Carolyn is roy bryant still alive Birth to her third son, Frankie Lee is now yeas! Living in Mississippi Mississippi, two Honestly, I just don ’ t win,! Worried that he might talk or by blacks angry because he hadn ’ t know Carolyn Bryant do it but. Was masking unbearable pain and went home later that morning and shot himself arrived he was there when owner... Theft of some iron belonging to J.W fishing alone in his legs store owner when she married ex-soldier and supremacist! The Delta of its black citizens an accountant at the funeral a hymns... Treated for minor injuries at Greenville ’ s death she is still alive and living in Greenville, Mississippi Jo. And lost 35 pounds to bravery in a tenant house on a wheelchair resident angered by fall... That past alone forced to pay the brothers $ 3,150 for their murder of Till! Teenager walking along a road and fined $ 30, and I ’ m still,! Her children second in her case, two Whitten after his partner ’ s,!