Betty Depew Brantley

Betty Depew Brantley, age 76, of Bedford, Texas, formerly of Blairsville, Georgia, passed gently away Monday, March 2, 2009 in North Richland Hill, Texas, after a prolonged illness. Betty was born Saturday, December 3, 1932 in Akin, South Carolina, the daughter of James Everett and Pearl Key DePew. Always the scholar, she matriculated with honors in both her high school and college classes. She later received her Bachelor's degree in Religious Studies, from Columbia International University. She met and married the love of her life, Charles Brantley in 1961. They were the best of friends; they were absolutely inseparable and shared 42 years of a deep and enduring love until his passing in 2003. Betty lived most of her life with a rare kidney disease - Bartter's Syndrome. She was one of the original patients of Dr. Bartter, and spent many tireless years at the National Institutes of Health Research in Bethesda, Maryland. She was proud to have been able to contribute to the treatment of kidney disease.So many advances were made through her contributions that her doctors deemed her a national treasure. Betty was loved by any who ever met her. She was the most devoted wife; the most loving mother; and the most loyal of friends.

Minutes before she passed away, she comforted the nurses caring for her because she wanted them to feel peaceful in the knowledge that they had provided her with beautiful care. That was the kind of person Betty always was. Her nursing care team openly wept at her passing.

She leaves to cherish her memory, daughter Melanie, beloved son-in-law, Charles; precious sisters: Louise Fenno and Katheryn Wilkes; Special friends, Charlotte Holt; Roger and Wanda Rietz; and Tommie Wolfe, along with a host of many faithful and loving family members.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 7, 2009 at 2:00 PM from the Chapel of Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville, with Rev. B.A. Buchanan officiating. Interment will follow in Union Memory Gardens.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1-2 PM, Saturday, March 7.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations may be made to American Cancer Society.

The Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville, Georgia is in charge of arrangements. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.