I will never forget the day I first encountered Calvin Bryant. Although it was almost six years ago, I remember the day vividly because I learned the true meaning of responsibility for one’s actions that day.

I had just graduated from high school and turned 18, but I still only had my learners driving permit because I could not drive too well. One summer day my mother allowed my friend, who was licensed, to take me out and show me how to drive my in mother’s new car.

My friend let me drive from Quitman to Morven that day and I did quite well. However, my luck ran out as I was driving back to Quitman on Jackson Road. To make a long story short, we ended up in a wooded area after I struck a tree in my mother’s car.

Crying and panicking, all I could do at the time was jump out of the car, walk to a nearby dirt road and pace back and forth. As my friend tried to calm me, a Brooks County pickup truck drove up to the scene and the driver asked if we needed assistance. When he saw the wrecked car, he called and reported the accident to the Brooks County Sheriff’s Office.

That day, I received $600 in citations, disappointed my mother and dedicated the rest of my summer to working to pay off the tickets and the deductible for body work on my mother’s car.

Several months later, I saw the man who had stopped to help my friend and me the day of the wreck. I was surprised that he still remembered me. I learned that his name was Calvin Bryant and he was the Brooks County constable.

I saw Bryant a few more times in passing, but I got a chance to speak to him again during the swearing in of Brooks County officers his year. I suggested that we meet for an interview so he could share his story with the public.

Calvin Bryant was born and raised in Quitman. He graduated from Brooks County High School in 1987.

“After graduating, I went directly into the workforce,” Bryant said. “I did pre-delivery inspections in the quality control department at a Cadillac dealership for three years. I spent the next three years doing the same thing at a Ford dealership.”

In 1994, Bryant enrolled at Valdosta State University and completed a semester.

“My sister, Melissa, initially wanted to go to trade school, but I encouraged her to go to college instead,” he said. “Although I never really intended to go to college, I went along with her to help push her to pursue a degree. She graduated around 1997 with a degree in sociology.”

Bryant continued to work during his time in school, but later switched careers to assist his father.

“My dad was a truck operator. In 1995, he fell on hard times, so I left the dealership. I got my commercial driver’s license and drove with my father for the next year and a half.”

Bryant’s father, Melvin Lee Bryant, passed away in 1997. Bryant continued to drive full-time until 2001.

“I began to feel like it was time for a career change,” Bryant said. “My friends told me about an ad in the newspaper for a constable in Brooks County. So I applied and was blessed to get the position.”

Bryant received an ample amount of hands-on training for the constable position. He said he had an easy time adjusting since he already knew his way around the county and had advanced computer skills. He has now served as constable for seven years.

Bryant works under the supervision of Brooks County Magistrate Court Judge Joyce Miskiel. As constable, Bryant serves civil summons, civil subpoenas and dispossessories. He also oversees evictions and foreclosures and transports court documents.

When asked how the state of the economy has affected the number of evictions and foreclosures he has handled, Bryant said, “The office has seen it’s share in the past year. I can say that the number has been larger in the last year than it has in any of the seven years I have been here.”

Although he is responsible for delivering unfortunate news at times, Bryant said he “keeps a positive attitude throughout the day and treats people with courtesy and respect.”

When he’s not at work, Bryant can be found “tinkering with old muscle cars.” He is currently working on an old Buick Regal with a 1960s power engine. He has been working on the car for three years, but asserts that he has to have it done by this summer.

“There is supposed to be one just like it on the new ‘Fast and the Furious ‘movie that is coming out this June,” Bryant said. “I want to have mine ready so I can drive it the weekend the movie comes out. All it needs is some interior work and a good paint job.”

Bryant said that this is the third car he has restored.

“If I see something I really like, I will buy it and work on it. It keeps me busy.”

Bryant refused to discuss how much money he invests in his favorite hobby.

“Every weekend I’m in the auto parts store. It’s like a lady in a shoe store. I don’t really think about the money anymore; I just get what I need. When you start tallying up money, it can get overwhelming.”

Bryant said he also keeps up with the stock market since he has shares in various companies. He added that he is doing his part to stimulate the local economy by shopping in Brooks County when he can and encouraging others to do the same.

Bryant, now 40, is single and does not have any children. He mentioned that he is ready to settle down with “the right one.”

“In the past year, I have been on the dating scene,” Bryant said. “But I don’t want to force anything. I’m into the simple things.”

In his spare time, Bryant enjoys social outings with his family and friends.

“I love my mother, Rosa Mae Bryant!” he exclaimed.

Bryant spends an ample amount of time with his mother, four brothers and five sisters. Bryant is the oldest of the boys.

Bryant said he is a longtime family friend of Brooks County Commissioner James Maxwell.

Bryant is a member of the Coastal Plains Board of Directors and serves on the Advisory Board for All for Kids. He is also a member of Bethel A.M.E. Church in Quitman.

In the next five years, Bryant hopes to be “financially stable and able to travel to different countries.” He mentioned traveling to various destinations such as Paris, the Middle East, West Africa, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Brazil, Tahiti and the Caribbean.

For now, he continues to provide public service to the citizens of Brooks County.