Retired Sheriff Clifford Brantley, 85, of Ridgeland, SC passed away at his residence Wednesday, March 9, 2022. Arrangements are entrusted to Allen Funeral Home of Ridgeland. We welcome you to provide your thoughts and memories on our tribute wall.

Clifford Brantley was born February 13, 1936, to the late Rosa Richardson and Marshall Brantley, Sr. in Tilman, SC. 
After an abbreviated illness on Wednesday, March 9, 2022, Clifford yielded to the will of the Lord departed this earthly life and joined the Heavenly angels.
Before Clifford became a teenager, he rendered his life to the Lord. He joined Antioch Baptist Church and was a powerful spiritual force on the Gospel Choir. He served on the Deacon Board for many years faithfully. Clifford was the lead singer for the Brantley Brothers Gospel Singers. The group performed in churches throughout South Carolina and many parts of Georgia.
Clifford attended the public schools in Jasper County and graduated from Jasper High School. After working as a construction worker in Savannah, GA for an abbreviated period. Clifford married the late Eunice Wright-Brantley and from that union four children were born: Curtis II, Cathy, Cynthia and Bernadett.
Having a great desire to improve the economic status of his family, Clifford relocated his entire family to New York City. He worked as a Shipping Clerk for Hudson Vitamins. While in New York City, Clifford joined Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. He sang in on the choir and served on the Deacon Board. He, also, reunited the original Brantley Brothers Gospel Singers. They became professional famous recording artists performing on the stage at the famous Apollo Theater, and made professional appearance throughout New York State. On a visit to his parents, Clifford applied for a Sheriff Deputy vacancy. The request was granted. After serving as Jasper County first Black Deputy Sheriff, for a few years, he ran and the people elected him as Sheriff. He became the first elected black sheriff in the state of South Carolina. After his tenure as Sheriff, Clifford became employed as a Longshoreman until he retired. 
Clifford was preceded in death by his first wife: Eunice Wright-Brantley; daughter: Cathy Gardner-Brantley; parents: Deacon Marshall, Sr. and Rosa Richardson-Brantley; seven siblings: Clarence Brantley, Marjorie Graham, Herman Brantley, Marshall Brantley, Jr., Sarah Greene, Theonies Burnett and Rogers Brantley.
Clifford leaves to mourn his wife: Barbara Jenkins-Brantley; five children: Curtis, II (Laurel), Cynthia (Troy), LaTon (Lateisha), Bernadett and LaTronda; five brothers: Odom (Sue), Freddie, Curtis, Clinton (Carolyn) and Emmanuel (Jacquline); one sister: Azzie Lee; sister in law: Mary; thirteen grands; three great grands: to include a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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