J. T. Morriss & Son Funeral Homes

Brantley, Frances S.

Thursday, August 24, 2006

Ivor, Virginia

FRANCES STEPHENS BRANTLEY, 78, a resident of Ivor, VA, died Wednesday, August 23, 2006 at Sentara Obici Hospital, Suffolk. Born on August 16, 1928 in Yancyville NC, she was the daughter of the late William Osborn Stephens and Mary Lea Morgan Stephens. Frances was a 1955 graduate of Obici School of Nursing and worked at Louise Obici Memorial Hospital until 1966 when she began her career as a Public Health Nurse for the State of Virginia. She retired from Suffolk Health Department in 1984 after 18 years of service. She was known for her cake baking and was an avid cook. Frances was an active member of Mill Swamp Baptist Church in Ivor for many years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Harvey Brantley, Jr., brothers, James Stephens and Frank Stephens, and sisters, Katherine Collins, Evelyn Stephens and Virginia Stone.

Mrs. Brantley is survived by two daughters, Mary Lyn Brantley-Leatherwood and her husband, Mark, of Claremont, and Susan Lyle and her husband, Richard, of Ivor; a son, Mark Stephen Brantley and his wife, Holly, of Wakefield; five grandchildren, Crystal Lyle, Justin Lyle, Sean Lyle, Beau Brantley and Taylor Brantley; a brother, Harold Stephens and his wife, Evelyn, of Flushing Meadows, NY; and one sister, Laura Etheridge of Malvern, PA

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 26, 2006 at 11:00 AM in Mill Swamp Baptist Church with the Rev. Jim Jones and the Rev. Mark Brantley officiating. Burial will follow in Ivor Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Purviance Funeral Home, Wakefield, on Friday evening, 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, it was Frances wish that donations be made to the Mill Swamp Baptist Church Building Fund, 6329 Mill Swamp Rd., Ivor, VA 23866. Condolences may be posted on line at www.jtmorriss.com.

My husband and I was very sorry to hear of Mrs. Brantley's passing. Last month I spoke to her and did not realize it would be my last time. I did get a chance to tell her that I loved her. By the grace of God and her gift of Nursing, she was an angel to recognize that I had a heart condition when I was at the age of 4. I am now 44 years old and in perfect health. Through Christ Jesus my life was saved because she started the ball to roll for many heart operations performed on me. I thank God that she was an angel in my life. I am proud that she had a chance to meet my husband and daughter. When we came to visit her, she told me that she thought she would never see me again. I's glad that she did. She became a real friend to my mother(Almeda Scott) We were trying to get together to celebrate our birthday last year. My birthday is August 18th. I don't think she was feeling up to it. One thing is for sure, our mothers are not suffering any longer. I praise God that we will see them again someday. May God comfort and bless her family.

Posted by: Bonita Scott at September 14, 2006 05:07 PM

My prayers are with your family. My mother died last October and I received the sweetest note from your mother. She and my mom had been acquainted through their nursing careers and your mother also came into the peanut store in downtown Suffolk which my dad owned. After my dad's passing and I started working in the store, she would always ask about my mom. I may not have known her as others did, but what a blessing she was in the short time that I did. Thank God for Christian mothers. Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you in the days ahead. Our God is so faithful and so loving and kind and when our hearts ache for those we love and miss, He continues to strengthen us to carry on.

Posted by: Faye Beale and Family at August 26, 2006 03:50 PM

Mrs. Brantley was a dear and precious friend to our family. I can't begin to express how special she was to my children who considered her to be a grandmother sent from God. Our prayers are with the family during this difficult time. We will miss her but we also rejoice in knowing that she is with our Lord and Savior and is whole again.

Posted by: Courtney Green at August 26, 2006 09:15 AM

To Mark & Susan and Family:

I am sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. May you be comforted with the precious memories you have a well-spent life in the service of Christ. "Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted."

Posted by: Pastor Michael Turner at August 25, 2006 03:18 PM

Can not begin to tell you how uplifting Frnaces was to our church. She always had a smile and caring attitude. It brings comfort in knowing that she is with the Lord and knowing her she is making him smile. Our church will miss her very much. Love in Christ.

Posted by: Bobby Cook & Family at August 24, 2006 03:38 PM