Dorothy Virginia Bryant

Dorothy Virginia Bryant, loving wife, mother, former tractor trailer driver and avid horse lover, died peacefully in her home in Odenton, Maryland on June 1, 2018.  She was 81.    Born Dorothy Virginia Buckwalter in Harrisburg, PA, she grew up in Hyattsville, MD with her parents and younger sister Linda.  In 1978, she met the love of her life, Joseph W. Bryant Jr. Dottie had a loving and adventurous journey through life.  She treasured country living and horses, but driving was in her soul.  She began her career driving as a Calvert County school bus driver where she made friends that lasted her lifetime.  In the early 70’s, the road called to her and she became one of the first full time women tractor trailer drivers in the area.  She drove the east coast for Bob Hall’s Anheuser Busch trucking division and Coffee Lumber Company and eventually joined Safeway, Inc., where she drove for 26 years until she retired, with Joe, in 2002.  Her favorite Safeway responsibility was providing education and outreach to local elementary schools including those attended by her grandchildren.  She was often the hit of career day with children climbing in and out of her truck and blowing the air horn. Dottie loved trucking and took great pride in being a woman in a non-traditional job.  She paved the way for woman truckers who followed her footsteps, including her daughter, Kim.  Over the years, she was recognized as an expert in her field and was often called upon to speak at women’s conference, technical schools and once before former First Lady Hillary Clinton.  In 1984 Dottie and Joe were selected to represent Safeway as Safeway Olympic Ambassadors.  Together they drove an incredible Olympic themed tractor trailer from Washington DC – Los Angeles, CA, with stops across the country.  In 1995, she was selected as an “America’s Road Team Captain” a prestigious honor given by the American Trucking Associations.  During this year long commitment, she traveled across the country representing truck drivers nationwide.  Her love of trucking was only matched by her love of horses.  Dottie enjoyed horses most of her life and taught all her children to ride.  The family joined others in the Calvert County equestrian community and rode in performance horse shows, fun shows and later enjoyed long distance trail riding.  She and Joe owned Three Springs Farm and breed and raised Arabian horses for 38 years.  She was heavily engaged in the local Arabian Horse Association and was an active member for many years.  Her favorite horse, Sunshine, provided hours of joy for her as she watched over the pasture each day.  Dorothy is survived by her husband Joseph W. Bryant Jr., and children Patrick Hatcherson, Kimaywin Greeley and her husband Chuck and Michelle Marx her husband Norman; her stepchildren Kevin Bryant and his wife Cathy, Jeffrey Bryant and Debbie Eckard and her husband Will.  She is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents Roy and Dorothy Buckwalter and her sister Linda Ward. Family will receive friend Saturday, June 9, 2018 from 2pm to 4pm at Beall Funeral Home, 6512 NW Crain Highway (Rt. 3 South), Bowie, MD, followed by a service at 4pm. Interment private.