Clifford Brantley remembered as trailblazer in Jasper County law enforcement - Bluffton Today
Jasper County recently lost a man who was described as a role model and a humble person who broke down barriers.
Clifford Brantley, 86, died March 9 after an abbreviated illness. He served as the first Black sheriff in Jasper County who paved the way for others, current Sheriff Donald Hipp said.
"He was a role model for many in the county," Hipp said. "If he could help you out, he would."
Hipp said he had conversations with Brantley when he was running for sheriff. He said he was also honored to be asked to speak at Brantley's funeral.
“The Brantleys are one of Jasper County’s well-known families," county administrator Andy Fulghum said. "Everyone knows that Clifford served as sheriff of Jasper County from 1977 to 1984, but not everyone knows that he served as a deputy from 1967 to 1976."
Fulghum said in recent years Brantley came back to work for the county in the engineering services division and was active in that capacity until last year.
"We recognize his longstanding service to Jasper County in multiple positions," Fulghum said. "He was a true public servant.”
Hipp said Brantley built a foundation for those who served after him in law enforcement.
"Not only did he build a foundation, he paved the way for other Black sheriffs in Jasper County, including Ben Riley and Greg Jenkins," Hipp said. "If my legacy could touch some of the people Mr. Brantley had throughout the years, I would be very honored."
Brantley was born Feb. 13, 1936, to the late Rosa Richardson and Marshall Brantley Sr. in Tilman. Before he was a teen, Brantley joined Antioch Baptist Church and was a member of the Gospel Choir, according to his obituary. He was the lead singer for the Brantley Brothers Gospel Singers, a group that would travel across the state and Georgia to perform.
He attended public schools in Jasper County and went on to work in construction for a short time, later marrying the late Eunice Wright-Brantley. The couple had four children: Curtis II, Cathy, Cynthia and Bernadett.
Later in life, Brantley reunited with the original Brantley Brothers Gospel Singers. The group performed at the famous Apollo Theater and made appearances throughout New York, according to his obituary.
One of Brantley's brothers, Curtis, currently serves on Jasper County Council. During council's March 21 meeting, he expressed thanks to all who had reached out to them in their time of bereavement. He also thanked council, administration and the sheriff’s office for their support.
"Many people that are in law enforcement are there because of my brother, Clifford Brantley,” he said. “On behalf of his wife, his children, his sister and his brothers and the entire Brantley family, we say thank you and God bless you."
Brantley was preceded in death by his first wife, Eunice Wright-Brantley; daughter Cathy Gardner-Brantley; parents Deacon Marshall Sr. and Rosa Richardson-Brantley; siblings Clarence Brantley, Marjorie Graham, Herman Brantley, Marshall Brantley Jr., Sarah Greene, Theonies Burnett and Rogers Brantley.
Brantley leaves to mourn his wife, Barbara Jenkins-Brantley; children Curtis II (Laurel), Cynthia (Troy), LaTon (Lateisha), Bernadett and LaTronda; brothers Odom (Sue), Freddie, Curtis, Clinton (Carolyn) and Emmanuel (Jacquline); sister Azzie Lee; sister-in-law Mary; 13 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
source: https://www.blufftontoday.com/story/news/2022/04/03/brantley-remembered-trailblazer-jasper-county-law-enforcement/7236005001/
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