James Brantley

James Lindsey Brantley was born on October 14, 1931 in Eupora, Mississippi, the second
oldest child to the union of the late Lindsey and Teretha Brantley. He departed this life on
Saturday, January 26, 2013 at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, Gilbert, Arizona.
Born into a Christian family James's mother made sure that he and the family knew the
Lord. The Brantley's were members of Liberty United Methodist Church in Eupora. It was
in church that he developed his love of singing gospel music. As a teen, he and his sisters
joined with the Aldridge family and formed their own group the "Friendly Five". Rev.
William Aldridge was their musician.
"Son" as he was first called by his mother and later "Sonny" by friends and family had a
wonderful sense of humor which he inherited from his father. His dad was a carpenter and
bricklayer and at an early age James soon learned basic carpentry skills. Like most African
Americans in the south, when he was not in school, James worked the fields and picked
cotton. However, education was a high priority in the Brantley family and all the children
attended Webster County Training School. His mother insisted that education came first.
He was the starting forward on the school's basketball team and played side by side with his
buddy and first cousin Paul lvry whom he shared the same birthday.
On July 9, 1952 James joined the United States Army and served faithfully for two years. He was honorably discharged on June 9, 1954. His relationship with his cousin Paul Ivry was such that they both enlisted in the army at the same time. They would often laugh about their adventures both here and abroad. Later he moved to Flint with his uncle George where he lived for a brief time before joining his sisters in Michigan. He settled in Flint and worked for General Motors until his health prevented him. He then moved to Saginaw. While in Saginaw he joined Christ Community Church, St. Luke CM.E. Church and Jacob's Ladder Baptist Church. He was always active in the male chorus and served on the deacon board. He also worked for Paradise Funeral Chapel before moving to Arizona. James loved life and life loved James.
He married Annie Louise Dooley in Eupora. To this union four children were born: James Curtis, Charles Chris, Kim O'Hara, Rhonda Lisa Brantley; 8 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great great grandchild. He met and married Ruthie Mae Berry in Saginaw. To this union he was blessed with two stepdaughters: Amanda and Gwen whom he helped raise, also three grandchildren.
On June 12, 2010 James married Marie Viola Williams. To this union he was blessed with four stepchildren Cheraire (Robert) Lyons, Tracy Williams, Larry and Steven Williams; eleven grandchildren. James and his wife Marie relocated to Mesa, Arizona and later to Gilbert, Arizona with his step daughter Cheraire Lyons and her family.
He leaves to cherish his memory are his wife Marie, children: James Curtis Brantley of
Detroit, Michigan, Charles Brantley of Eupora, Mississippi, Kim Burks of Romulus, Michigan, Rhonda Brantley
of Flint, Michigan; step-children Amanda Berry of Saginaw, Michigan, Gwen {Robert}Montalvo of
Newark,New Jersey, sisters: Jeffalone Rumph, Delma Draine, Mattie {William} Parker, Sylvia Brantley; Brother:
Bernard {Ora} Brantley, Aunts, Ora Bell Hilliard and Alma Bryant, god-daughter, Gabrilla
Winters.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lindsey and Teretha Brantley; wife: Ruthie
Brantley; brother: Excel Brantley; great great-granddaughter Robin Mankins. Brother-in-
laws: Kalone Draine & Jefferson Rumph. Niece: Pama Phillips.
Visitation: Paradise Funeral Chapel Obituaries
Service Plans: Paradise Funeral Chapel Obituaries