Dr. Karen Elizabeth Brantley

Celebrating The Life Of Dr. Karen Elizabeth Brantley: Dr. Karen Elizabeth Brantley was born October 22, 1942 to James Edward Brantley, Sr. and Helen McCall Brantley in Detroit, Michigan. Karen was a life-long Detroiter. At a very early age, Karen attended St. Cecelia Catholic School later graduating from Detroit St. Leo Catholic High School in 1960. She briefly attended Michigan State University and joined the Student Non-Violence Coordinating Committee (SNCC). While with SNCC she went south to register voters in particularly turbulent times during the civil rights movement. Upon returning, she matriculated to Wayne State University in Detroit earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education in 1972 and Master's Degree in Education majoring in Instructional Technology in 1973. In 1996, Karen earned a Doctorate in Education, majoring in Higher Education Administration, also at Wayne State. After graduation, Karen worked with the Children's' Television Workshop as their Midwest Regional Coordinator. She then worked for the City of Detroit Department of Health initially as an Educator and Researcher. Later she was Director of a Head Start Program. She also taught Kindergarten in Detroit Public Schools and was an Adjunct Instructor at Marygrove College where she mentored teachers completing graduate degrees. During this time, Karen began her teaching career at Wayne County Community College, initially as Adjunct Faculty in Child Care Training and Human Services in April 1972. Though she didn't know it at the time, she would spend the majority of her career at Wayne County Community College in increasingly responsible positions eventually reaching Assistant Dean of Instruction. In addition to her daily teaching and administrative role(s), she also participated or led several committees at WCCCD including North Central Committee on Academics, Northwest Campus Retention Committee, Northwest Campus Administrative Council, Pre-Social Work Advisory Committee, Urban Teacher Advisory Committee and Women's Studies Committee. Dr. Brantley has several writings and was a requested speaker at several conferences throughout the US. Additionally, she was featured in the International Who's Who of Professionals in 1997. In short, many social workers and teachers in metro Detroit are influenced by programs in which had a role or were taught directly by her. Dr. Brantley retired from Wayne County Community College in 2007. In her spare time, Karen was also a passionate activist. She participated with several professional, political and social organizations, including Phi Delta Kappa, NAACP, Michigan Community Theater Troupe, Michigan Political Leadership Program, League of Women Voters of Michigan, Women's Justice Center, New Life Home for Recovering Women, Sisters Network of Greater Metropolitan Detroit, Jim Dandy Ski Club, YWCA Child Care Advisory Committee, Blanche Kelso Bruce Academy and her beloved Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. To relax, Karen routinely read 3-4 books a week and loved to travel. Karen peacefully passed away the evening of June 25, 2016 after an extended illness.

Dr. Karen Elizabeth Brantley

October 22, 1942 - June 25, 2016