Mr. N. E. "Shag" Brantley was born on September 18, 1928 in Barnesville, Lamar County, GA to the parents of the late Mrs. Iola Brantley Battle and the late Mr. Thomas Walker. He was the oldest of nine children. Shag was educated in the Lamar County School System and attended the Barnesville Industrial School. At an early age, he accepted Christ as his savior and joined the Sardis Missionary Baptist Church. He loved the church and was faithful and devoted member., In his earlier days, he sang in the Adult Choir, he would later become a member of the Board of Trustees. As a young man, Shag sought employment with the Lamar Electric Member Corporation, which is currently Southern Rivers Energy. He retired after providing over 40 years of service.

Shag possessed a very kind heart and spirit. He loved his family dearly and made many friends along his life's journey. One of his greatest joys was helping to care for many of his younger family members, where he acted as a son, big brother, or father figure. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also loved gardening, traveling, and vacationing in the summer months. A sunset is not an ending, but just a pause before a fresh start. God looking down from Heaven, seeing Shag was tired and weary, sent his angels to summon Shag home to eternal rest on Sunday, May 30, 2021. Aside from his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Kenneth Thurman; his siblings, Jimmy Battle, John W. Battle, Bernell Lewis, A.B. Brantley and Dorothy Edge; a special aunt whom he loved as a mother, Cora L. Brantley Cunningham; and cousins whom he raised like his sons, Samuel T. Cunningham and Jackie R. Cunningham. Shag leaves a wonderful family to cherish his memories including his five children, Olivia "Dale" (Ruben) Smith of Conyers, GA, Michael Washington of Atlanta, GA, Nathaniel (Stephanie) Harris and Deborah (Leroy) Bundrage of Macon, GA and Jeanette Thurman of Barnesville, GA: ten grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; five great great-grandchildren; three sisters, Mattie M. Few and Diane (Maurice) Holt of Barnesville, GA and Mary Jean (James) Daniel of Riverdale, GA; daughter-in-law, Susie A. Thurman of Barnesville, GA; special cousins he raised as his children, Deborah (Isaiah, Jr.) Davis of Riverdale, GA and Bruce E. Cunningham of Griffin, and a host of nieces nephews, other cousins, family and friends who will miss his presence. Graveside Service was held Saturday June 5, 2021 Sardis Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery