Georgia Death Certificate: Rev. Alonza Lewis BRANTLEY was born in Washington County to William Gray BRANTLEY & Elizabeth Rachel KITRELL, "Lizzie," both of whom were also born in Georgia. He was a minister, who died at the age of 72 in Hiltonia; his widow was Emily Frances JOHNSON. The informant for his death certificate was their son, Dr. Thomas Boykin BRANTLEY.
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Thank you to contributor Mary Esther Lord Smith for the photograph of Rev. BRANTLEY and for the following tribute:

A most beautiful life was removed from us when God called our beloved Brother and Pastor A.L. Brantley to his house of rest. Bro. Brantley was born in Washington County, January 21, 1853, and died May 7, 1925.

There are no words in the English language adequate to express the life and deeds of that noble Christian spirit. His memory will always be cherished with the deepest affection by all who knew him.

Brother Brantley was a man seventy-two years of age, and we can only look upon his life as a man that earnestly served his Heavenly Father. Early in his Christian life, he felt God's hand laid upon him to carry His message to a lost world, and was ever faithful to the trust committed to him. He was ever ready to point those that hungered and thirsted after righteousness to the Lamb of God for his reward.

He often expressed his strong faith in the power of God, and his own redemption through the blood of Jesus Christ. The text of his last sermon at Friendship was, "The Preciousness of Jesus". And at the close of the sermon we sang that beautiful old hymn, "Jesus Is So Precious To Me". And as we sang the tears ran down his cheeks, truly we believe that Jesus was the most precious asset of his life. A more affectionate heart than his never beat in any breast. He possessed that charity which suffereth long and is kind, and had his part in that gracious promise, that the pure in heart shall see God.

We, the members of Friendship Baptist Church, Washington County, hold sacred the memory of that loving relationship that existed between pastor and members. We also hold sacred the memory of his Brother L.A. Brantley, who so faithfully served our church for nearly thirty years. Together they held more than twenty-five annual revivals at Friendship. How we yearn their fatherly love. To say we love their memory does in no wise express the deep feeling of our hearts.

The lonely grave yonder at Greenville Baptist Church where his body now rests can not contain all the grandeur that was in him, above the mound shines the high star of hope. His name is forever written with the blessed. What a welcome must have been his when he reached that Celestial City of God. May God raise up (rest is missing)