Tommie Lee “Monroe” Brantley
Tommie Lee “Monroe” Brantley was born on Wednesday, April 10, 1929, to Prentice Eugene and Irma Pace Brantley in Marion, Louisiana. Monroe passed away on Saturday, July 27, 2019 at his home in Bixby, Oklahoma at the age of 90.
He attended school in Linnville, LA, and worked in the pipeline industry from the age of 15. He was a sideboom operator early in life and worked his way up to General Superintendent. He was a pioneer in the field of horizontal directional drilling and for 30 years was an estimator for Reading and Bates Construction of Tulsa, OK. Throughout his last 10 years he worked in pipeline inspection where he loved every moment he spent on the right-of-way. In completion, Monroe spent 73 years devoted to the pipeline industry. He married Rita Ann Jones in 1986 at Pasadena, Texas. He was a Christian and attended Victory Christian Center in Tulsa, OK. Monroe loved to duck hunt, deer hunt, fish and golf; but his heart belonged to his work.
Monroe is survived by his wife, Rita Ann Brantley; daughter, Wanda Jean Simmons of West Monroe, LA; step son, Joel Lake and wife Michelle of Bixby, OK; grandchildren,Sean Harrell and wife Wendy of Farmerville, LA James Lee Brantley and wife Debbie of Farmerville, LA, Chad Simmons and wife Sabrina of Bastrop, LA, Thad Simmons and wife Robin of Thomaston, AL, Rachel Lake, Mitchell Lake, and Matthew Lake of Bixby, OK; great grandchildren, Garrett Simmons, Chase Simmons, Bradley Simmons, Elliot Simmons, Brittany Harrell, Natalie Harrell; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear, loved friends.
Monroe is preceded in death by his parents, Prentice Eugene and Irma Pace Brantley; former wife, Vona Mae (Georgia Ann) Brown Brantley; daughter, Iris Brantley; son, Jimmy “JR” Morris Brantley; brothers, DJ Brantley, P.E. Duck Brantley; sisters, Sarah Tucker, Betty Sue Rhoades, Teenie Brantley; granddaughter in law, Andre Harrell.
Family Night will be held at Dean Baptist Church from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 2, 2019, at Dean Baptist Church with Pastor Donald Reeves Officiating.
Casketbearers will be Mitchell Lake, Matthew Lake, Chase Simmons, and Garrett Simmons. Honorary casketbearers will be Virgil Brantley, Mike Brantley, Monty Rhoades, Shannon Rhoades, Kenny Tucker and Randy Tucker.
Condolences may be sent to the family by email to browns@atoka.net. Please reference the name of the deceased in your correspondence.
Services are under the direction of Brown’s Funeral Service of Atoka, OK.
