Brantley- Charles Brantley went to dwell in the house of the Lord forever on December 27,2022, after a long battle with cancer. He was born on July 26,1939 in Dublin, Ga. to Mr. Charles Slaton Brantley and Mrs. Mary White Brantley. His family moved to Jacksonville in 1948 where he graduated from Robert E Lee High School. He attended Florida Junior College in Jacksonville Florida and graduated from Nova University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management. After high school, he worked for the General Electric Co. Major Appliance Division for a number of years before starting a career in public service as an administrative assistant to Mr. David Kearns Director of Florida Legislative Service Bureau. He served as an Analyst for the Transportation Committee of the Florida House. In 1981 he was hired as the Assistant Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles, Dept. of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. He was made Director in 1982 where he served until his retirement in 2000. He was then hired by the Florida Trucking Association as their President and Chief Lobbyist. Six years later, attempting again to retire, he was hired by the Florida Tax Collectors Association as their Executive Director and Lobbyist for another year. He did retire in 2007.

During his tenure as director, Brantley was successful in implementing the Florida DMV into the International Registration Plan (IRP) for truckers, establishing the state's first Motor Vehicle Inspection Program (MVIP) for vehicle emissions testing, and implementing a barcoded postcard registration renewal notice for Florida residents. For his untiring efforts in assisting the Astronaut Memorial Foundation to establish the Challenger Space Shuttle license plate and trust fund, in 1987 he was presented the first-ever Ambassador's Award by Congressman and Astronaut Bill Nelson. The fund provided the necessary monies to construct the astronaut's memorial at the Cape Kennedy Space Center and provides scholarships for aspiring students in the field of sciences. Brantley also has been the recipient of the department's Division of the Year award numerous times during his tenure but is most fond of the one he received in 1983; his first year as Director of the Florida DMV. Another reward Brantley felt honored to have achieved was being elected President of Region II, American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) in 1987, as well as serving on the AAMVA International Board of Directors from 1987 – 1991. This association is made up of motor vehicle administrators from all states and provinces of Canada.

In 1997 he was named Imperial Chaplain of the Shrine of North America. He was appointed by the newly elected Imperial Potentate, Lewis Brantley, his brother. In 1993 he married Suzanne Arant of Sebring, Florida and always said that was the best thing he ever did. They enjoyed his retirement years with lots of travel and trips to the mountains of North Carolina. They enjoyed their home in Waynesville, NC where he loved playing golf at the Laurel Ridge Country Club. He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers, Harris & Lewis Brantley; sisters, Christine Lewis and Laverne Stallings.

Charles is survived by his wife of 29 years, Suzanne Banks Brantley; Sister, Meg Bottoni; sons, Brett (Natalie) Brantley and Timothy Brantley; grandchildren, Molly Cate, Liney, Anna B, Izzy, and Ben.

Charles served as a deacon in First Baptist Church of Tallahassee, Florida.

A Graveside Service for Charles will be held on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at 2:00 pm at Salem Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Lake City, Florida with Dr. Doug Dortch officiating. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Haywood Christian Ministries 150 Branner Ave. Waynesville, NC 28786. Arrangements are under the care and direction of FERREIRA FUNERAL SERVICES, 458 South Marion Avenue, Lake City, FL 32025 (386)752-1234. Please leave special memories and messages of condolence for the family at our online website at www.ferreirafuneralservices.com