Sheryl Ann O’Bryan Johnson (Anthony Johnson), Carol O’Bryan Henneman, and James A. O’Bryan Jr. announce the transition of their beloved mother, Elsa Dorothea Oliver O’Bryan, the last surviving granddaughter of Emanuel Benjamin Oliver, on Saturday, April 27.
Born in LaGrange Estate, Frederiksted, St. Croix, on June 3, 1926, Elsa was the fifth child of Edgar Oliver and Anne Oliver (nee Crosswaith). She is also survived by her three grandchildren: Sheoni Clay Givens, Alani Henneman Todman (Ishmael Todman Jr.) and Danielle O’Bryan Greenidge (Justin Greenidge).
Left to carry on her legacy are her great-grandchildren: Cielo DiLauro, Thomas Clay Jr., Roman Jenkins, Bobby Jo-Ann Jenkins, Kevin Rogers, ChéVelle Peters Saddler (Tony Saddler), J’Mel Henneman, Trinity Christina Henneman, Ishanae Todman, Ishalyn Todman, Iyzhaeh Todman, Iylianna Ali Todman, Jaxson Greenidge, D’Nasia Smith and Jolisa Gifft.
She is survived by her stepchildren: Elton O’Bryan, Lester O’Bryan, Faye Bone and Ina O’Bryan. She is also survived by her step-grandchildren: Marlo Henneman Crossley (Orville Crossley) and Shane (Fyah) Henneman.
To carry on her memory are the members of the Oliver, Ross, Ragster, Ebbesen and Gordon families, who are the children of her siblings — Lincoln Oliver, Octavia Ross, Agatha Ragster, Thelma Ebbesen and Doris Oliver. Her oldest sibling, Clarissa Wiggins, did not have any children.
Her celebration service will be held on Monday, June 3, our mother’s 93rd birthday, at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Anna’s Retreat at 10 a.m. Her ashes will be interred with her late husband, James A. O’Bryan Sr., in a private ceremony. We are asking participants to wear shades of orange, our mother’s favorite color. No flowers, please.
Elsa was preceded in death by her husband, James A. O’Bryan Sr.; grandson, Kareem A. Henneman; and her son-in-law, Myron B. Henneman, and all her siblings.
Special families and friends are the Henneman, Martin, Smith, Johnson and Todman families, the CAHS Class of 1944, Esther Smith, Louis Turnbull and Ruth E. Thomas.
