Sammie Joe "Joey" Bryant Jr.

Sammie Joe “Joey” Bryant, Jr., of Birmingham, Alabama, peacefully departed this world on January 21, 2024 surrounded by a host of beloved family members. He was 66 years old.

Joey is survived by Karen (Nix) Bryant, his wife of 44 years, his daughter Rachel Burks and her husband Zachary, his son Micah Bryant and his wife Breanna, grandchildren Cole, Cannon, Nash, and Millie Burks, and Geneva Bryant, his siblings Belinda Duke and her husband Wesley, Michael Bryant and his wife Marsha, Bethanne Crawford, James Perry “Pete” Bryant and his wife Lisa, nieces and nephews Cara Bingham, Anna Cum, Grayson Bryant, Nicki Lamb, Dara Lewis, Chase Crawford, Nathan Bryant, Sam Bryant, Alexandria Duke, many great-nieces and nephews, and a large extended family. Joey was preceded in death by his parents, Sammie Joe Sr. And Bettie Rae (Wear), and brother-in-law Don Crawford. 

Joey was a dedicated law enforcement officer, serving a total of 45 years. He spent 32 years with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and leading the SWAT Team before retiring in 2011, and 13 years with the Fultondale Police Department. He retired from Fultondale on December 31, 2023. His service to his community has left a lasting legacy that is nearly impossible to put into words. Sgt. Bryant was a gentle giant, loved and respected by everyone who had the privilege of working with him, even when delivering his particular brand of tough love. He was a prolific prankster, to the amusement of his accomplices and frustration of his victims. Stories of his shenanigans are still told by sheriff’s deputies, police officers, and SWAT team members to this day. It is said that if you find a job you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. Sgt. Bryant lived this every single day of his service. His was not a job, it was his calling and he fulfilled his obligation to serve his community to the best of his ability on a daily basis.

Joey loved one thing this side of heaven more than his job, and it was his family. He was a loving husband and an adoring father, completing countless of Karen’s “honey-do” lists over the years and sharing equally in the parenting load. He changed diapers, cared for sick children, attended endless dance recitals and youth sports games, and was a constant presence in the lives of his kids. He was the biggest fan of any sport his children played, and this carried over when he became a grandfather. Joey and Karen made several trips a year to Georgia to visit their daughter, son-in-law, and their four children, and attended scores of youth football games, wrestling tournaments, and soccer matches over the years. Being in attendance at his oldest grandson’s high school football games this past fall was such a joy for Joey, a former football player himself. Joey was a second father to his son-in-law Zac and adored his daughter-in-law Breanna; his own son Micah will say he that he liked her more than him. The arrival of his newest granddaughter Geneva two years ago brought him so much joy, and she quickly became his little Peanut. Joey was a doting Big Poppa to Cole, Cannon, Nash, Millie, and Geneva, and his presence in their lives will be greatly missed. 

Joey also loved the Lord. He was a faithful servant of God and never missed church if he could help it. He was a member of Edwards Lake Church of Christ for over 10 years. He was previously a member of Huffman Church of Christ for over 40 years. 

Fully articulating how much Joey meant to his family, his friends, his coworkers, and his community is an impossible task. Everyone he came in contact with has a story to tell, from his childhood all the way up to his final days. His kindness, compassion, sense of humor, and genuine care for his loved ones and the people in his community have left a lasting impression that can never be replaced. He was an enormous presence, and his absence will forever be felt.