FORMER UPSON CO. COMMISSIONER HARRIS BRANTLEY DIED SUNDAY

Mr. James Harris Brantley, Sr., age 97, of Thomaston, died Sunday, April 3, 2016, at Riverside Health and Rehab. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 6, at 11:00 AM, in the chapel of Fletcher-Day Funeral Home, with Rev. Bill Barber and Rev. Joey Smith officiating. Burial will follow in South View Cemetery. The family of Mr. Brantley will receive friends Tuesday evening, April 5, from 6:00 until 8:00 PM, at Fletcher-Day Funeral Home.
Mr. Brantley was born February 11, 1919, in Kite, Ga. He served in the U. S. Navy amphibious forces in the Pacific during World War II, including the Philippines and Okinawa. Mr. Brantley was a Purple Heart recipient. He moved to Upson County in the late 1930's where he met and married his wife, Mildred Lindsey Brantley, who preceded him in death. Mr. Brantley was a farmer, and he won the Southeastern and Tri-State awards for growing the best hay. He sold his hay on the "honor system" with a box at his barn for the buyer to leave payment. He was a County Commissioner for sixteen years and was a member of the Thomaston-Upson Chamber of Commerce who was honored with that organization's "Lifetime Achievement Award". Mr. Brantley also served on the City of Thomaston's Zoning and Appeals Board. He was active in the Upson County and GA Farm Bureau Chapters and was a charter member of the Georgia Cattlemen's Association. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Thomaston where he was active in the Builder's Sunday School Class.
Mr. Brantley is survived by two daughters: Joy B. Day of Jonesboro and Cathy (Michael) Greenman of Thomaston; two sons: James H. Brantley, Jr. of Ellaville and David Brantley of Thomaston; three grandchildren: Brantley E. Day of Canton, Jim Brantley of Ellaville, and Ellen Foy of Thomaston; and six great grandchildren: James H. Brantley, IV and Dennis M. Brantley of Ellaville; Colton Day and Kincayd Day of Canton; and Mason and Bo Foy of Thomaston.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Building Fund of the First Baptist Church of Thomaston, 208 South Church Street, Thomaston, GA. Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at www.fletcherdayfuneralhome.com.