Obituaries

Geneva Perry Brantley

Photo of Geneva Perry Brantley
Geneva Perry Brantley, 90, of England, Ark. passed away Friday, Jan. 16, 2015. She was born to Harv and Cloie McChesney Perry on Sept. 1, 1924 in the Central Community near England. She was educated in the England School District, after graduating, moved to Detroit, Mich. to work in a factory during WWII. Geneva met her husband, L. D. Brantley Sr. at a box social. That must have been some box lunch, because they were married on Sept. 6, 1946. They had three children, Laudies Dow Brantley Jr. (Polly); Pam Brantley Foster (Max) and Perry Wayne Brantley, who died in infancy. Geneva and L. D. were partners not only in marriage but also in business. Geneva was a valuable asset to her husband with the running of their family farm. She did the bookkeeping, errand running and anything else that needed doing; she was the glue that held everything together. She also took care of their home with the same love and efficiency that she put into the farm. She had days for washing, gardening, canning and cleaning. She was a fabulous cook and took great joy in cooking for her family, guests and anyone else who was lucky enough to get a piece of her chocolate sheet cake! There is no better example of a true Southern Christian lady than Geneva Brantley. She was saved at Perry's Chapel Baptist Church and baptized in Clear Lake. She was active in Coy Baptist Church, teaching Sunday School there for many years and when she moved to England, she became an active member of First Baptist Church. Geneva was a discussion leader for 20-plus years in Bible Study Fellowship. She read her Bible daily and devoted time daily to prayer and devotional study. Geneva was also the "hands and feet" of Christ in the England community. She and her dear friend, Martha Jean Adams helped run the food pantry for many years. She provided meals and volunteered her time, prayers and financial gifts to her church. She also helped the sick, helped her neighbors and friends. She will be remembered by friends as someone whose door was always open. In addition to her volunteer work through her church, Geneva was active in the community through FHA Board and the Cosmopolitan Club. She was also a member of the Eastern Star and an election official. Mrs. Brantley is preceded in death by her parents, Harv and Cloie Perry; her husband, L. D. Brantley Sr.; an infant son, Perry Wayne Brantley; stepmother, Gertie Benafield Perry; brothers, Charlie, Leo, Otis, W. J. and Harvey Doyne and sister, Corine Glenn. She is survived by her son, L. D. Brantley Jr. (Polly) and daughter, Pam Brantley Foster (Max); two sisters, Kathryn Zoch and Norma Sebourn; seven grandsons, Brant Foster (Joanie), Dow Brantley (Amy), Matthew Foster, Drew Brantley (Kristen) Bart Foster (Meghan), Ben Foster (Jana) and Russell Brantley (Sara); nine great-grandchildren with one on the way. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were very special to her and she truly enjoyed being with them and being a grandmother. Special thanks to her devoted caregivers, Vivian Harrington, Connie Larson and Linda Fry. Funeral services are being handled by Roller England Funeral Home (501) 842-3939. Services will be at First Baptist Church of England on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015 at 2 p.m. Bro. Robby Sherman will be officiating. Interment will be at Mulberry Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the First Baptist Church, 201 E. Haywood, England, AR 72046 or the Lonoke County Open Arms Shelter, P. O. Box 161, Lonoke, AR 72086. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.

Published January 18, 2015

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