James Louie Brantley

James “Louie” Brantley, 94, of Charleston, SC, formerly of Monroe, NC, joined his Lord and Savior on September 7th, 2021, after a well-fought and courageous battle with dementia. A visitation will be held on Sunday, September 12th, 2021, from 1:45 - 2:45PM at Gordon Funeral Home, 1904 Lancaster Avenue, Monroe, NC 28112, followed by a private family graveside service conducted by Minister Josh Herrin at Lakeland Memorial Park at 3PM. Due to the rising number of Covid-19 cases, the family requests that all visitors wear masks while indoors. Beloved son, husband, father, uncle and friend, Louie was born December 17, 1926, in Monroe to the late Murphy Secrest Brantley and Connie Helms Brantley. Growing up during the Great Depression in a “mill village” home without electricity and indoor plumbing, Louie never forgot his humble beginnings. Love and a strong family support system made up for the lack of material riches. Louie lettered in multiple varsity sports and graduated from Walter Bickett/Monroe High School. He enlisted and proudly served in the United States Army - 3139th Signal Service Battalion (Signal Corps) during World War II including a tour of duty in Frankfort, Germany, and Europe. Louie retired from Manetta Mills after 46 years of loyal service as a purchasing agent and payroll clerk for both the Monroe and Lando, SC plants. As a member of Bethlehem Presbyterian Church for over 60 years, Louie faithfully served in various capacities, including elder, deacon, church treasurer and youth Sunday School teacher. He loved his Bethlehem “church family” and was quick to volunteer for everything from helping cook at barbeque fund raisers to painting Sunday School classrooms. A man of few words and a hidden sense of humor, Louie was also a member of the semi-pro Monroe Blue Sox baseball team and an avid Atlanta Braves and Duke University basketball fan. It gave Louie great pleasure every year to plant and work an oversized garden that provided fresh vegetables to family, friends, and those in need. In addition to his parents, Louie was preceded in death by his three brothers, Clayton “Duck” Brantley, Clarence “Sug” Brantley, and Robert “Ney” Brantley. Louie is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Nancy Duncan Brantley, and daughter, Shan Brantley, both of Charleston, SC as well as sister-in-law, Bea (Clayton) Brantley of Monroe, niece, Susan Brantley Foster of Matthews, and extended family. Special thanks to Lutheran Hospice of Mt. Pleasant, SC and family friend, John Bizzak, of Charleston, SC for assisting with Louie’s care. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, 7608 Concord Highway, Monroe, NC 28110. Online condolences may be made at gordonfuneralservice.com. Gordon Funeral Service and Crematory is caring for the Brantley Family.