Meet Carolyn Bryant's children, Roy Bryant Jr. and Lamar Bryant

Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at 12:03 AM by Ruth Gitonga

Carolyn Bryant was an American former businesswoman who gained notoriety in August 1955 after accusing the late 14-year-old Emmett Till of sexual harassment. Due to this popularity, details about her personal life, including her family, became subject to public scrutiny. So, who are Carolyn Bryant's children, and where are they today?

Carolyn Bryant's children — Roy Bryant with his wife and kids at the court. Photo: Bettmann
Source: UGC

In September 1955, Roy Bryant, Carolyn’s ex-husband and his stepbrother, J.W. Milam, were acquainted with the brutal murder of Till. This resulted in the upsurge of activism and resistance, later called the Civil Rights movement. How did this case affect the lives of Carolyn Bryant’s sons?

Carolyn Bryant's profile summary and bio

Full name	Carolyn Bryant Donham
Nickname	Carolyn
Gender	Female
Date of birth	23 July 1934
Date of death	25 April 2023
Cause of death	Cancer
Age at death	89 years old
Zodiac sign	Leo
Birthplace	Cruger, Mississippi, USA
Place of death	Westlake, Louisiana, USA
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	Mixed
Religion	Christianity
Height in feet	5’7’’
Height in centimetres	170
Weight in kilograms	55
Weight in pounds	121
Body measurements in inches	34-27-36
Hair colour	Brown
Eye colour	Brown
Sexuality	Straight
Marital status	Divorced
Ex-spouse	Roy Bryant
Children	2
Profession	Former businesswoman
Famous for	Her involvement in the murder of Emmett Till

How old was Carolyn Bryant?

Who was Roy Bryant? — Carolyn Bryant and Juanita Milam (R), the wives of Roy Bryant and John William Milam, at the Sumner courthouse in Mississippi. Photo: Bettmann
Source: UGC

Carolyn Bryant (aged 89 at the time of death) was born on 23 July 1934 in Cruger, Mississippi, USA. Her father was a plantation manager, while her mother was a nurse.

Who are Carolyn Bryant's children?

Roy Bryant Jr. and Lamar, Carolyn Bryant's kids, prefer a private lifestyle, distancing themselves from their parents’ dark past. Therefore, information about the two brothers is scanty.

Roy Bryant Jr.

Carolyn Bryant's first son, Roy, was born on 12 June 1952 in Mississippi, USA. Sadly, he died on 29 September 1995 at the age of 44 due to cystic fibroids. Nonetheless, his entire life was shrouded in mystery.

Lamar Bryant

Lamar was allegedly born two years after his older brother and is believed to be Carolyn’s last-born child. Much like his late brother, he maintains a low-key profile.

Carolyn Bryant’s height

Carolyn stood 5 feet 7 inches (170 centimetres) tall. As per reports, she weighed 121 pounds (55 kilograms). Her body measurements were 34-27-36 inches. Carolyn featured brown hair and eyes.

Who was Roy Bryant?

Carolyn Bryant’s height — Half-brothers J.W. Milam (C) and Roy Bryant (R) with their attorney, Sidney Carlton. Photo: Bettmann
Source: UGC

Roy (aged 63 at the time of death) was born on 24 January 1931. After the trial, he migrated to Indianola, Mississippi, where he worked as a mechanic. Roy died of cancer in September 1994.

Interview with Look Magazine

A few months after the trial, Look Magazine published The Shocking Story of Approved Killing in Mississippi by William Huie. The story revealed how Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam killed Emmett Till following Carolyn's false accusations.

Although Carolyn Bryant’s children, Roy Bryant Jr. and Lamar Bryant, are a footnote of their parents’ gruesome acts, their stories remain largely unknown. It is only reasonable for them to distance themselves from their past to get a shot at living a normal life.