Mrs. Crystine Brantley

In Loving Memory Of A long and well-lived life is to be celebrated, not mourned. Today July 28, 2021 we celebrate such life of Crystine Brantley, who was born into this life June 10, 1933 to William Henry and Hattie Wilcox in Telfair County, Georgia. She departed this life July 15, 2021. Crystine remained a resident of Georgia until 1955, where she charted a successful life course into adulthood, then relocated to Detroit, Michigan. She spent her childhood years sharing definite roles in a loving family and was active in her community, church and school. She completed her formal education, valedictorian, at Lumber City High School, Lumber City, Georgia, and received a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education from Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, Georgia. After relocating to Michigan she received a master of arts degree in elementary education from Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan. Crystine and Jacob David Brantley were married soon after she moved to Detroit in 1955. They enjoyed 65 years of marriage – a long and beautiful life together until Jacobs’s demise August 15, 2020. They established a home in Southwest Detroit, years later moved to Canton, Michigan. Together they raised their children, Kenneth and Andrea, and played an active role in the lives of their grandchildren, Aaliyah and Montrell. They could be found on family road trips during summer and Christmas vacations and at ballgames other times of the year. One could also find them content, quietly enjoying any sport games coming across the television screen in the comfort of their home. Crystine also enjoyed weekly bowling, and was an avid bowler – with several league trophies. She was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed sewing clothes for her nieces. Most of all she made wonderful holiday meals for the family – then enjoyed good card games with Leola, Earl and Eula. Crystine, along with Jacob were faithful members of St. Andrews and Benedict Catholic Church in Southwest Detroit until their health status no longer allowed them to be. Together they served their church well in several capacities. Crystine’s outstanding service was that of serving the church’s charter school. She held a number of terms on the school’s board of education. Crystine’s compentency in education led to a long and impressive teaching career in the Romulus, Michigan school district. A career of 30 plus years where she was respected by the district, her peers, parents, and served her students well. Perhaps, making a difference in the lives of many students. Crystine was preceded in death by six sisters and two brothers, Ilene, Ceomi, Lucile, Edna, Eva, Leola, Hoover, and Ernest. Memories and acts of kindness of Crystine will forever be cherished by those who survive: son Kenneth, daughter Andrea, granddaughter Aaliyah, and grandson Montrell. She will never be forgotten by her siblings who survive, twin sister Eveline Wilcox, sister Eula McKee, brother John Henry Wilcox (Vernice) and brother-in-law Charles Ingram. Others surviving are special nieces and nephew Bettye Clark-Jones, Gayle McMinns, Nika Lorino, Carolyn Clements, and Penny and Dewayne Brantly. In addition many nieces and nephews, extended family members, and friends survive and love Crystine – whom she loved as well.

Mrs. Crystine Brantley

June 10, 1933 - July 15, 2021