Archie Nelson Brantley

Archie Nelson Brantley (89) from Raleigh, NC, passed away on January 25th in Bountiful, Utah, from complications with pneumonia and chronic lung disease.

Known as "Nelson" to his family and oldest friends, Archie was born on October 10, 1936 - the first of eight children - to Barley Archie Brantley and Mary Christabell Brantley in Dry Wells Township, Nash County, NC.

Following graduation from Middlesex High School, Archie joined the US Air Force in 1954 and joyfully served his country for the next 20 years, retiring in 1974 as a Master Sergeant. He then returned home and worked for an additional 24 years as a state drug inspector - traveling "from Manteo to Murphy" hundreds of times, visiting and inspecting healthcare facilities across the Tarheel State.

Archie met the love of his life, Flora Ellen McCarthy, in 1956 at Eglin Air Force Base when they were both stationed there. They married in December of that year. Prior to her passing in May of 2012, Archie and "Flo" lived in many places around the world, and over their 20 years in the Air Force, they welcomed three children into their family - Debra Carter (66), Tamara Yatteau (60) and Robert Brantley (56). Archie and Flo have twenty grandchildren, six step-grandchildren, and several great and step-great grandchildren as well.

Archie loved his Savior, Jesus Christ, and like Jesus, he "went about doing good" (Acts 10:38). Archie and Flo lived lives of faith, and in 1965 when on assignment in Izmir, Turkey, they together joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Shortly after being baptized a member in the Aegean Sea, Archie was ordained to the office of "Elder" by Howard W. Hunter, who 30 years later became the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Archie served selflessly in dozens of church assignments throughout his life, and he always counted his church service as a joy and a blessing. He wasn't a trained singer, but he LOVED to sing! And he remained partial to the gospel music of his youth throughout his entire life. Archie had a passion for sharing the gospel message with everyone he met, and he often spoke of being a missionary and ministering to others - which he described "as easy as falling off a greased log!" Archie never met a stranger! In every face, and in every place, he only saw a friend.

Archie and Flo's love of God and total devotion to each other and to family and friends was plainly evident throughout their lives. They rarely spent any money on themselves – choosing instead to spend their time and resources focused entirely upon their faith, family, friends and, yes, a little bit of football! (How Archie loved his BYU Cougars!)

In retirement, Archie and Flo were able to fulfill a lifetime dream of serving a full-time church mission together. They spent 18-months in beautiful Columbia, Tennessee as family history missionaries - archiving, indexing and preserving county records.

The family wants to express their deep gratitude for the outpouring of love and support that has been shared so abundantly since Archie's passing. His funeral service is being handled by L. Harold Poole Funeral Service & Crematory in Knightdale, NC and is open to the public. The service will begin at noon on Saturday, February 7th in the Knightdale Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 7312 Forestville Road, Knightdale, NC 27545. Family visitation will begin in the Church that morning at 10 am, and a brief graveside service with military honors will be held immediately following the funeral in Raleigh Memorial Park at 7501 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27612.