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ENROLLED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 22
BY REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER
A RESOLUTION
To express the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death of D'Orsay
Deavenport Bryant, Jr., M.D.
WHEREAS, it is with immense sadness and profound regret that the House of
Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana has learned of the passing, on February 20,
2026, of D'Orsay Deavenport Bryant, Jr., M.D.; and
WHEREAS, D'Orsay Deavenport Bryant, Jr., was born on September 9, 1932, to
Cecil Barbara McIntosh and D'Orsay D. Bryant, Sr., in Washington, D.C.; he grew up in the
nation's capital and attended the historic Dunbar High School, which he credits with
instilling in him a lifelong respect for education; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bryant attended Howard University, where he was elected to serve
as president of the freshman class, was named to the Dean's List and various honor societies,
and joined the Xi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bryant graduated in 1954 and entered the Howard University
School of Medicine, where he excelled academically and was inducted into the Alpha
Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society; he graduated from medical school in 1958 and began
an internship at Freedmen's Hospital and a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at
Freedmen's and D.C. General Hospitals; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bryant fulfilled his ROTC obligation and began service as a captain
in the United States Army; he was stationed at Fort Dix in New Jersey and served from 1963
to 1965; after completing his military service, he relocated to Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bryant established an obstetrics and gynecology practice in 1965
and flourished as a medical provider who delivered generations of babies in Baton Rouge
and the surrounding areas; for ten years he served as the only Black board-certified OB-
GYN in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas; and
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WHEREAS, Dr. Bryant took great pride in being credentialed at the highest level of
his area of specialization; he served as a diplomate of the American Board of Obstetricians
and Gynecologists and as a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology;
in addition to his private practice, he served as a clinical instructor of obstetrics and
gynecology at the Louisiana State University College of Medicine from 1966 to 1981; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bryant was an incredibly civic-minded and engaged citizen in the
Baton Rouge community; he was an active member of the NAACP and served as the
president of the Baton Rouge branch from 1966 to 1980; his activism included pursuing
educational equity for students of color in East Baton Rouge Parish, and he was a plaintiff-
intevenor in one of the last desegregation suits in East Baton Rouge Parish; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bryant established the Acadian Women's Clinic in 1978; the clinic
served as an extension of his medical practice and offered access to comprehensive
reproductive services when legalized in the state; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bryant was a fervent supporter of community-based health
initiatives, including the Stop Rape Crisis Team and the NAACP's National Health
Committee, and he served as a board member of the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation and the
Baton Rouge Cancer Society; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bryant assumed numerous leadership roles in professional
organizations; he served as vice president of the Louisiana State Health Coordinating
Council in 1975; president of the East Baton Rouge Parish Medical Association in 1974,
1982, and 1984; president of the Louisiana State Medical Association in 1970 and 1985; and
on the Louisiana State Medical Care Advisory Committee in 1974; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bryant's social and civic affiliations included Kappa Alpha Psi
Fraternity, Inc.; Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Alpha Xi Boule; the East Baton Rouge Chamber
of Commerce; Masonic: East End Lodge 209, Baton Rouge Consistory No. 179; Shiners,
Ishmael Temple, Baton Rouge; and the 33rd Degree United Supreme Council; he garnered
numerous civic awards and citations for his activities in civil rights and youth-related
activities; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bryant is survived by his wife, Kathy Weaver Bryant; children, Dr.
D'Orsay Deavenport Bryant, III (Karen); Sharon Bryant Zimmerman (James); Sherri Bryant-
Moore; Leighton Butler Bryant (Sharri Lynn); Damon Allen Bryant; Dorian Lamar
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HR NO. 22 ENROLLED
Matthews; Drexel LaSalle Matthews; and D'Orci DeShay Bryant; stepsons, Aaron Mitchell
Weaver and Neil Clifton Weaver; grandchildren, D'Orsay Deavenport Bryant, IV; Carter
Ashton Fabre Bryant (Haley); Claire Estelle Moore; Kristin Dollison Moore; Olivia Alexis
Zimmerman; Nicolas Jordan Zimmerman; Leia Briana Bryant; Davin Bryant; Brenden
Bryant; and Devereaux London Matthews; great-grandchild, Josiah Moore; sisters-in-law,
Hedi M. Butler, Nina Mitchell Wells (Ted), Vicki Mitchell Pendleton, and Lauren A. Smith
(James Boll); brothers-in-law, Eric I. Mitchell (Carmen) and J. Peter Mitchell (Pat); nieces,
Lynn Whitfield, Kimberleigh Butler-Smith, Shawne Langston Emery, and Donna Pierce
Lazarchik; and nephews, Duane D. Pierce and Clifton F. Nelson, III; and
WHEREAS, Dr. D'Orsay Deavenport Bryant, Jr., was a pioneer in the field of
medicine and a dedicated servant of the citizens of Louisiana; he will be deeply missed, but
the legacy of his service shall live in perpetuity in the hearts and minds of those who were
privileged to have known and loved him.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express heartfelt condolences on the death of D'Orsay
Deavenport Bryant, Jr., M.D.; does hereby extend enduring appreciation for his incredible
contributions as a medical professional and community advocate in Louisiana; and does
hereby offer sincere wishes that his family, friends, and loved ones find comfort in their
shared memories of his beautiful life.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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