On July 7, 1938, George X. and Annie Beatrice Smith Sedgwick welcomed the birth of their daughter, Dorothy Yvonne Sedgwick Lewis Bryant. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She received her education in the York County Public Schools, graduating from James Weldon Johnson. She had four brothers (Harvey aka Jelly, George aka Ward, Norman aka Doe, and Reginald aka Peanut) and one sister Anna who died just days after birth.

Yvonne was married to Thomas Lewis, and their union was blessed with the birth of their daughter, Tanya Y. Perry.  She later wed Dexter H. Bryant Jr., and to this union their daughter Shanee' L. Bryant-Cooke was born. Bryant and Yvonne spent many wonderful years together until his passing in 2006.

One of Yvonne's first jobs was picking crabs at the crab factory. She would often say "the place where I work may stink, but the money doesn't." Later, Yvonne was employed by the York County School Division as a transportation assistant on a special education bus.  Ms. "Dot" as she was affectionately known, absolutely loved working with her students. She would support them in their activities whether it was by participating in fund raisers or attending events or performances that they were a part of.  Yvonne retired from the school division after 18 years of dedicated service to children with special needs.

Yvonne joined Zion Prospect Baptist Church in her early years of life, and remained a dedicated member of the congregation until her health began to fail. She faithfully attended Sunday School and Bible Study. Yvonne served as a part of the Gleaners Ministry for several years.  When the senior choir was ministering in music, you could distinctively hear Yvonne's rich alto voice singing praises unto her Lord and Savior. When she was recently a resident of Patriot's Colony for rehab, and Harmony Assisted Living, she continued to lift her voice unto the Lord during their religious services. There is no doubt that Yvonne will be a part of God's heavenly choir.

If Yvonne considered you a friend, you had a friend for life. She would spend hours on the phone chatting with her girlfriends.  Yvonne was also a lover of sports, especially her beloved Pittsburgh Steelers.  She would often call her son-in-love Kirk to chat about the outcomes of basketball and football games. She enjoyed traveling to Waynesville, NC and Aiken, SC to visit her family that she loved so much. Her nieces and nephews always raved about her famous homemade hand graded coleslaw and hushpuppies.

On Wednesday, October 25, 2023, Dorothy Yvonne Sedgwick Lewis Bryant departed this life and left behind family and friends who will cherish her memory and count it a blessing that she was in their lives. She is survived by her daughters, Tanya Perry of the home and Shanee' Bryant-Cooke (Kirk) of Williamsburg, VA; son, Andre Lewis (Deborah) of Clevland, OH; God-daughter Tracey Sumblin of Yorktown; grandchildren Likita Martin, Aaron (Bubba) Martin, Endi Frazier, and Kirk Cooke Jr., great-grandchildren Jaylen Curry, Jaliyah Howard, and Jordyn Howard; her brother from another mother and advocate Doug Baggett (Vee) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and caring friends.

Visitation will be from 6 to 7 PM Friday, November 3, 2023 at W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 12:00 Noon, Saturday, November 4, 2023 at Zion Prospect Baptist Church, Yorktown. Burial will follow in Hampton Memorial Gardens.