Deacon Marion Brantley, Sr., 90, of Crescent City, entered the sunset of life on Thursday, December 29, 2016, at Haven Hospice Roberts Care Center, Palatka. A native of Allendale, SC, he was born on Tuesday, March 9, 1926 to Ned Brantley and Gertrude (Deloach) Brantley and was also educated there. He was united in Holy Matrimony to Tressie Lee McDuffie and in 1957 the family relocated to Crescent City, FL.

Throughout his working years, he was an industrious provider for his family. His dedicated employment includes: pulpwood laborer, Bud Henry Logging Company; custodian, Crescent City Jr.-Sr. High School, and fern laborer for 26 years at Clark Ferneries Inc.

Deacon Brantley was a faithful member and longtime deacon of Friendship Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of the Reverend Michael Robinson. He was ordained as a deacon on December 15, 1974, and subsequently served in numerous church and community ministries over the years, especially, Chairman, Deacon's Ministry (elected 1998) and Sunday School Superintendent. He was very active in the Minister's, Deacon's & Deaconesses Union No. 2; gospel singer, Friendly Five Quartet, Allendale, SC; and The Silver Tones Gospel Group, Deleon Springs, FL;

He was the recipient of numerous honors and community service awards by the Crescent City Women's Civic Association (1995). He was a loyal member of the Crescent City, Seville, and Palatka Community Prayer Bands. His family was of utmost importance to him and in his leisure time, you would often find him fishing in Lake Stella or Lake Crescent. Deacon Brantley had a passion for purchasing and customizing vehicles, especially his trucks.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in eternal rest by his brother, Albert Brantley; sister, Emma Lee Cobb.

He leaves to cherish his memories: his devoted wife of 64 years, Tressie Lee Brantley, Crescent City; daughters, Clotelia (Jim) Taylor, Augusta, GA, Lillian (Darrell) Burgess, Crescent City; sons, Marion Brantley, Jr., Pomona Park; , Sr. SMSgt. Charles L. Brantley, Sr., (USAF retired), Rockledge; As a son, Mickey Wright, Allendale, SC; 12 grandchildren, Marion (Genora) Brantley, III, Derrell (Katrina) Fields, Kandy Brantley, Dwayne (Jennifer) Cook, Joseph Brantley, Marcus Brantley, Melissa Crocker, Brian ( Ashley) Brantley, Crystal Brantley, Inez (Ben) Dodge, Charles "CJ" Brantley, Jr., Keisha Hankins; 20 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Maudell Hicks, Evangelist Annie Ruth Wright, both of Allendale, SC; Mary A. Wright, Flagler Beach; brothers-in-law, Bobby Wright, Allendale, SC; Bernard (Juanita) Wright, Crescent City; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Visitation of family and friends will be 5-7 p.m., Friday, January 6 at Friendship Baptist Church, 286 Smiley Store Road, Crescent City, FL., Rev. Michael Robinson, pastor. Homegoing Celebration will be 11 a.m., Saturday, January 7 at Mt. Tabor First Baptist Church (South Putnam Campus), 608 Randolph Street, Crescent City, Rev. Karl N. Flagg, Pastor. Rev. Michael Robinson, is the Eulogist.