Simon Michael Brantley

Simon Michael Brantley was born February 16, 1943 in Detroit, Michigan to his late parents Reverend Doctor Joseph and Cenobia Council Brantley. He was the oldest of three siblings.
Mike received Christ at an early age and was baptized by his father at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan. He was educated in the Detroit Public School system where he attended Pershing High School. He joined the U.S. Army where he served in Germany before receiving his Honorable Discharge.

He was blessed with three children, Michael Dwayne, Vivian, and Angela from his marital union with the late Juanita Brantley who transitioned October 21, 1995. He was further blessed in marriage to Joyce Brantley, who preceded him in death on February 11, 2020 with stepchildren: Kim, Tracy, Elisia, Angela, and Arneldo.

Mike worked at the Ford Motor Company Sterling Plant where he retired after 40 years. He also left a legacy of family members who thrived at Ford as well.

The best word to describe Mike is “Love.” He loved his family whom he prayed for every night. He loved his old Detroit neighborhood, the Davison/Dequindre area, especially the annual picnics. He loved his friends at the Ford Plant, especially the retirees whom he joined for monthly breakfasts. Mike loved fun times like traveling to other states and countries. He loved to take Sunday drives; one of his favorites was cruising around Detroit’s Belle Isle Park. He also loved good food. Last but not least, he loved to smile and laugh bringing joy and sunshine to anyone fortunate enough to meet him. He often helped others before himself.

Mike took great joy in being the family patriarch. He cried with joy at the birth of his first great granddaughter, Journey, for whom he passed down his own toddler chair, which he had kept all those years. He told many family and workplace stories as a way to pass on life lessons and bits of wisdom.

He was also preceded in death by his stepdaughter, Kim Neal. Mike leaves to cherish his loving memories: his brother Gordon Douglas Brantley (Jewell), his sister Pamela Osborne (Norman), his son Michael Dwayne Brantley (Hasina), his daughters Vivian (Princess) Palmer (David Sr.) and Angela Brantley, his stepdaughters Tracy Neal (John), Elisia Brockington, and Angela Brockington; His stepson Arneldo Brockington, grandson David Palmer Jr., granddaughters Deshay Brantley, Juanita Brantley, Adia Palmer, step-grandson Kennard Taylor, step-granddaughter A’Nyeshia Taylor and great granddaughter Journey Simmons; His aunts Anna Mae Council, Rosa Mae Rosemond, Claudia Council, Christina Fleming, and Dorothy Council; Also, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.