Dec 2006,  We encourage all Brantley persons to get involved in DNA testing.  While one may not be qualified as a donor himself (male Brantley surname), he/she can financially participate in sponsoring a person on their line who is. Please contact me if you are willing to participate so we may notify and recruiter others.  (See articles under "DNA Testing").

Nov 2006 - A new discovery has been made via DNA testing.  Test show that Benjamin Brantley (b ca 1764) of Hancock County, Georgia was a son of Benjamin Brantley (b abt 1732) of Chatham Co NC and Washington Co, GA.  This is a significant find and would not have been made were it not for DNA testing. (See articles under "DNA Testing").

Nov 2006 - We have learned that one of our Brantley kindred help raise the flag at Iwo Jima. Harlon Block, the son of Belle Brantley Block, and the great grandson of John David (Tobe) Brantley (see 2nd report), is one of the marines in the photo seen around the world in 1945 that pictured soldiers raising the flag at Iwo Jima. Harlon was killed in action shortly after the photo was taken.   The movie, Flags of our Fathers, by Clint Eastwood is currently in theatres .Harlon is portrayed by actor Benjamin Walker in the film and his mother Belle Brantley Block is played by Judith Ivey.  

Oct 2006 - Lt Col. H.R. Hattie Brantley died recently.  She attended our 1990 convention and has been a great supporter to the association.  Hattie was a POW during WWII and received many military awards including one from Pres Reagan during his term of office.  See more about her on our WEB site, under Prominent Brantleys.  She was a descendant of John & Hannah, through son Phillip, his son John, and John's son Blake Brantley of Texas.

Member Obituary

James Thomas “Jim” Brantley, a resident of Manchester, Tenn., and an involved member of the Tennessee Walking Horse Industry, past away Wednesday, March 5, 2003, at Middle Tennessee Medical Center. Mr. Brantley would have been 76 years old on March 7th.

A graveside service was held on March 7th at the Robinson Cemetery in Loudon County. Rev. Mark Barron and Rev. Carlton Harper, officiated the service.

Mr. Brantley graduated from the University of Tennessee with a bachelor of science degree in agriculture. He was also a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.

He was a World War II veteran and served with the Navy as a corpsman. Brantley was a retired supervisor with ConAgra of Knoxville, Tenn. Mr. Brantley was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Coffee County Esquire Association, Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association, Manchester Lions Club, and the American Legion Gold Star Post 78.

He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-laws, Tom and Connie Brantley and Vance and Jennifer Brantley; a daughter and son-in-law, Betty Jane “BJ” and Mike Anderson; brothers and sisters-in-law, John F. and Mary Frances Brantley, Charles E. and Nellie Brantley; sister and brother-in-law, Ada and John Wright; and five grandchildren, Daniel Brantley, Robert and Rachel Brantley and Adele and Amelia Anderson.

Donations can be made to the Multi-County Cancer Support Network, Box 225, Winchester, Tenn. 37398.

We have just published  our latest newsletter.  If you wish to have a copy, send $2 and a stamped envelope to us at 4750 Oakleigh Manor Dr  Powder Springs, Ga 30127.

The letter is free to ambassador members and members who paid dues this year by joining. 

For those who have though about joining the ambassador program, be aware that we have sent out over 90 BA correspondence messages and studies since September last.
See Joining information under Membership.

 

We have just learned of the death of Grace Brantley Deady; a member of the association since 2000.  Grace, a resident of Largo, FL, had routine gall bladder surgery and suffered a massive heart attack during recovery on January, 20, 2003.
Grace was a descendant of KY James Brantley.  She was born on July 7, 1934 in Providence, KY to Robert C. and Madie L Brantley.  She is survived by, Ronald E. Deady, her husband of 49 years, and children; Mrs. Karen Kearney, Mrs. Cheryl Nelson and son, Scott Deady.
Daughter Cheryl has applied for and been granted membership in the association in her mother's place under the provisions of our membership rules.  She will assume membership number 400, formerly issued to Grace.  She will receive Ambassador Program privileges for 90 days in honor of her mother.