Longtime Statesville deacon
STATESVILLE — Deacon Charles Lee “Chuck” Brantley Sr., 89, of Statesville, passed away peacefully Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, at the Gordon Hospice House.
The vigil will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 1, 2020, at St. Philip the Apostle Church, located at 525 Camden Dr. in Statesville.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Bishop Peter Jugis at 10 a.m. Monday, March 2, 2020, at St. Philip the Apostle Church. Homilist will be Father Thomas Kessler, pastor of St. Philip the Apostle Church. Burial will follow at Oak Wood Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be his six sons-in-law.
Born March 24, 1930, in Rock Hill, S.C., to the late John Givens Brantley and Cordie Alice Helms Brantley, he graduated from Benton Heights High School in Monroe and served four years in the U.S. Air Force. On Nov. 20, 1954, he married Shirley Ann “Mickey” Dowd Brantley. He was the owner and operator of Brantley Dental Laboratory in Statesville for 60 years. He was a former member of Statesville Jaycees, the Exchange Club of Statesville and the Statesville Moose Lodge.
He was ordained for the Diocese of Charlotte on June 19, 1988, in the diocese’s second class of permanent deacons by Bishop John F. Donoghue. After ordination he was assigned to his home parish of St. Phillip the Apostle, where he served faithfully as a permanent deacon with his wife Mickey by his side for the past 32 years. He retired in 2005 and was inactive as a deacon at the time of his death.
In 2016 St. Philip the Apostle Church presented the Jewell Award to Deacon Chuck and his wife Mickey. This award recognizes members’ dedication and selfless giving to the parish community.
Deacon Chuck and Mickey joined the Statesville parish well over 50 years ago. Over the years they were very involved with Cursillo as well as the Charismatic Prayer Group and served as co-chairs for RCIA efforts at the parish. Deacon Chuck also served as parish council chairman and grand knight of the local Knights of Columbus council.
He and his family enjoyed boating and fishing on Lake Norman and family beach trips to Oak Island.
Deacon Chuck’s love and kindness touched his family, his Church and everyone he ever met.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two sons, Daniel Brantley and Charles “Chad” Brantley Jr.; a daughter, Judith Ann Brantley; and two grandsons, William and Thomas Harwell. Two brothers, J.C. and Richard Brantley, also preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Shirley Ann “Mickey” Dowd Brantley; and seven children, Theresa B. Kindley (Ken) of Lincolnton, Lisa B. Onley (Ken) of Statesville, Alice B. Harwell (Terry) of Statesville, Peggy B. Bolens (Ricky) of Sandy Ridge, Andrea B. Faw Faust (Stephen) of Union Grove, Laura B. Haneline (Brandon) of Statesville and John Brantley of Wilmington. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren, one great-grandson and one brother, Eugene Brantley (Sue) of Monroe.
Memorials may be made to St. Philip the Apostle Church – Forward with Christ Building Fund, 525 Camden Dr., Statesville, N.C. 28677. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.troutmanfuneralhome.com.
Troutman Funeral Home of Statesville is in charge of the arrangements.
— Catholic News Herald