Bryan Lloyd Lindsey, 83, of Athens, GA, a tender-hearted, loving, ornery, ferocious, and much beloved son, brother, and uncle, passed away from cancer on Sunday, November 19, 2023. Bryan was born on October 2, 1940, the youngest child of George Buren and Maudie Bell (Bryan) Lindsey. He grew up in the Pine Level Community near Brantley, AL.

Bryan was dedicated to helping others. After graduating from Troy University, he began teaching English, helping scores of children in various grades wrestle successfully with participles and Shakespeare. That career was interrupted by a command performance in the U.S. Army from 1963-65 where Bryan served stateside in personnel, an experience which honed his skills in unraveling red tape and cursing the government. Receiving an honorable discharge, he continued his education, earning a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Alabama. As a member of the graduate faculty at the University of Georgia, Bryan excelled as a classroom teacher and as a mentor to other teachers, leading him to travel in the 1970s to South America and the Soviet Union to train future educators and consult on teacher training methods. A point of pride was his participation in helping establish Head Start programs in Georgia.

Bryan's worldview was deeply anchored in his sense of justice and fairness. He had no qualms about speaking truth to power, gaining a judgment against the University of Georgia for a violation of his First Amendment rights in 1980. Bryan then began a new career managing and maintaining his rental properties in Athens, climbing on roofs, crawling under houses, and combing the Habitat ReStore for tools and materials until the last month of his life. He intentionally kept his rents affordable to give those down on their luck a chance to get ahead and often offered those behind on their rent the chance to do small jobs in lieu of payment. He often served as their advocate in navigating social services. Not surprisingly, he was a big animal lover, repeatedly taking in pets for those who couldn't keep them because he believed it was the right thing to do.

Bryan was preceded in death by his parents and by his siblings: Sara Nell Hancock, James Worthie Lindsey, Sr., John Ferdinand Lindsey, Gareth Alton Lindsey, Vance Martin Lindsey, and Myra Janice Sport. He is survived by his brother, Gerald Buren Lindsey, of Huntsville, AL, 20 nieces and nephews, and a multitude of great-nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 2-3 p.m. on Saturday, December 2, at Hayes Funeral Home Chapel in Elba, AL. The funeral service begins at 3 p.m. Burial will follow at Pine Level Cemetery.

Flowers and contributions to the Athens, GA, Habitat for Humanity chapter (athenshabitate.com/donate) or your local Habitat for Humanity chapter are welcome.