Josh Bryant

Josh Bryant, age 42, of Unicoi, passed away on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at the Johnson City Medical Center. He was a lifelong resident of Unicoi and a son of Danny Bryant and Lucy Guinn Bryant.

Josh graduated from UCHS in 2002 with honors. He was active in 4-H, named Who’s Who of American High School Students. Josh graduated from Northeast Tech in 2004 after earning his Associate Degree in Electrical Technology.

He was employed at Specialty Tire for twenty years where everyone knew him as the man to call when something went down. Josh was an Associate at Wal-Mart.

Josh was a lifelong member at Woodby Hill Freewill Baptist Church where he led the Youth Choir, taught Jr. Sunday School Class and cleaned the church. He was a member of the Unicoi Masonic Lodge #681 F&AM.

Josh had a heart for serving others which led him to become a member of the Unicoi Volunteer Fire Department where he was a Lieutenant, and Unaka Mountain Search and Rescue.

Josh was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents: Clyde and Shirley Bryant; maternal grandparents: Odell and Frances Guinn; grandmother-in-law, Joyce Osborne; Uncle Paul Painter; Aunt Shirley Osborne.

In addition to his parents, Danny and Lucy Bryant of Unicoi, Josh leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife of twenty-one years, Nikki Smith Bryant; daughter, Danielle Bryant (fiancé, Levi Johnson); son, Kristofer Bryant; brother, Matthew Bryant; mother-in-law, Judy Garland Osborne; father-in-law, Carl Smith (Kim); brothers-in-law: Dylan Smith and Dereck Smith; sister-in-law, Britney Smith; Uncles: Damon Bryant (Robin), Darryl Bryant (Melissa), Harley Guinn, Sam Guinn, Buddy “Baby Man” Osborne; Aunts: Angie Boone (Dave), Doris Painter, Darlene Sage, Mamie King, Kathy Bryant, Kathy Tipton; nieces and nephews: Mason Bryant, Marley Bryant, Grace Freeman, Lennox Osborne, Evie Osborne; best friends: William Hoilman, Eric Williams, Larry Doner; numerous cousins also survive.

The Bryant family will receive friends from 11:00-1:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the Unicoi Funeral Home. Josh’s funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. with Preacher Lester “Bo” Perkins, Preacher Shane Whitmore, and Preacher Charlie Frazier officiating. Levi Johnson will deliver Josh’s Eulogy. Interment will follow in Roselawn Memory Gardens. Active pallbearers will be Johnathan, Jeremy, Troy, Randall, William, Levi, Eric, and Larry. Honorary pallbearers will be Luke, Nick, Lennox, Mason, Gavin, Carson, Cayden, Camryn, and Cassidy Guinn.

The family would like to extend a very special thank you to Dr. Dodd and the Johnson City Medical Center Staff, Units 4200 and 2900.  

Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the Bryant family at www.ledfordfuneralhomes.com 

Unicoi Funeral Home, 4428 Unicoi Drive, Unicoi is privileged to serve the Bryant family. (423) 743-1380

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Josh Bryant, please visit our floral store.