Selma Brantley - August 6, 2003

At four minutes before six o'clock in the evening on Sunday, the third day of August, 2003, our Mother 
left this world. She is now in Heaven, where she has been reunited with our Daddy, her beloved Jimmy, 
where her heart has always been.

Services for Selma Ray Bostick Brantley of 903 Sallie Sue Drive, Marshall, will be Wednesday, Aug. 6, 
at 2 p.m. at St. Mark's United Methodist Church. The Rev. Beverly Krause and the Rev. David Morgret 
will officiate. Visitation will be Tuesday, Aug. 5 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Sullivan Family 
Funeral Home on Travis Street.

Selma was born Aug. 12, 1924, the oldest daughter of Samuel W. and Frankie Ray Womack Bostick. She 
was a lifelong resident of Marshall and was very proud to say, "I am a Northsider." Selma loved to 
tell stories of her childhood and though she lived through the Great Depression, she said her parents 
never let her know it. She graduated from Marshall High School and in 1944 was the first in her family 
to graduate from college, receiving a B.A. in Bible and churchwork from Southwestern University in 
Georgetown.

On Valentine's Day 1940, Selma met the love of her life, James C. (Jimmy) Brantley. It was love at 
first sight, though she would not let him know that for four years. She and Jimmy "courted" through 
the mail for four years while he served over seas during WWII before marrying at Summit Methodist 
Church on Dec. 28, 1945. Together they made a loving home and raised three children. They were parted 
only by Jimmy's death Feb. 20, 1971.

Selma grew up a member of Summit United Methodist Church. In March of 1955 she, Jimmy and their oldest 
daughter became charter members of St. Mark's United Methodist Church. The members (past and present) 
became "family" to the Brantley clan. Selma was a very loyal, active and supportive member of all 
activities of St. Mark's from the day she joined until the day of her death. She served in any capacity 
that she was needed and was on many committees and served as a trustee. Selma did not enjoy being in the 
limelight and often stood in the shadows so others could shine. She was a true friend to all who knew or 
needed her. When a call for help came, Selma could be counted on to be among the first to arrive. 
Everything that we, her children, know about being a Christian, we learned by watching our Mother live 
her life. Our Mother decided at a very young age to live her life as Christ would want her to. We know 
that she lived her life well, never failing in her goal of being a good and faithful servant of our 
Lord and Savior. Our mother was the most gentle, kind, loving and honest person we have ever known.

Selma worked at the Morton Thiokol Plant for 34 years, and at the time of her retirement in 1984, was 
the property accounting supervisor. She was a member of the Marshall Chapter of Business and Professional 
Women's Club, serving in many offices including president of the club. She was an active member of the 
Marshall Literary Club of which her mother, Frankie Bostick, was a charter member.

One of her greatest enjoyments after retirement was stopping by St. Mark's each morning and having coffee 
with whoever was there . On Thursday afternoon from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. she was playing canasta with 
friends. On Friday nights, Selma had her pennies out, ready for a friendly game of poker. Then, more 
often than not, she was headed "East" with a good friend.

Selma was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Jack Bostick (1975); her beloved husband, 
Jimmy (1971); her daughter, Suzanne Brantley Cox (2002); and her granddaughter, Toni Lynnette 
Marshall (1980).