Nov. 4, 1904 – Aug. 30, 2006

BRANTLEY

PILOT – Winnie Belle Bunn Brantley, 101, of 4843 Old US 64 Hwy, the Pilot Community, went to be with her Lord early Wednesday morning at her home surrounded by her family. She was affectionately known as “Mama” and “Mah-Mah.”

She was one of eleven children born in Franklin County to William Miley Bunn and Mattie Upchurch Bunn. She attended Western Carolina, Wake Forest College, graduating from East Carolina Teachers College obtaining her degree in Education in 1930. She taught in the public schools of Franklin County for several years. She was the matriarch of her family providing wisdom and strength through her determination and courage, her beautiful smile and her love for Jesus. She enjoyed quilting, gardening, cooking and treating every child as her own. Through her years she has been an active member of Pilot Baptist Church as a Sunday school teacher and her devotion to several committees.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Avon Brantley; sons, Carroll Jackson Brantley and Edwin Allen Brantley, Sr.; sisters, Ona Williams, Pearl Smith, Dovie Upchurch, Katie Moore, Zelma Gray Denton, Harriet Todd; brothers, Troy, Hubert, Domie and Oliver Bunn.

A celebration of her life will be held 11 am Saturday at the Pilot Baptist Church. Burial in the Stallings Cemetery at Pilot Baptist Church.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Avon Gerald Brantley and Laura Hinnant Brantley of Clayton, daughter-in-law, Judy P. Brantley of Pilot; grandchildren, Edwin Allen Brantley, Jr. of Pilot, Judeane B. Lewis and husband, Lynn of Pilot, Jay Carroll Brantley and wife, Glenda of Rocky Mount, and Bobby Gerald Brantley of Pilot; great grandchildren, Lindsay Patterson and husband, Jason of Pilot, Caleb Lewis of Pilot, Hunter Brantley of Stem, Savannah, Julianna, and Sara-Grace Wall all of Youngsville; special niece Alice Perry of Pilot; special caregivers Mary Johnson and Brenda Cunitz; numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to Pilot Baptist Church Building Fund, 8103 NC 39 S, Zebulon, NC 27597 or Tar Heel Home Health, 74 Wheaton Ave., Youngsville, NC 27596 or Louisburg Senior Center, 127 Shannon Village, Louisburg, NC 27549.

The family will receive friends 7:00 – 8:30 pm Friday at the Pilot Baptist Church, 8103 NC 39 S., Zebulon and other times at the home.

Arrangements by Strickland Funeral Home, Wendell.

Paid Obituary