I can’t believe it’s been two years! The kids and all of us at TSA Boys & Girls Club miss you! Rest in peace my friend!

I miss your Friday night visits. Joe and I loved  you and were blessed to have you and Kathy as neighbors and friends for many years.

We miss you Brantley. The Braves went all the way. In your honor.

While I only met Brantley a handful of times, usually in passing when popping in to visit my brother, Brad, at work, it was so easy to see why he was cherished by so many. Brantley was more than a work colleague or mentor to my brother, but a true friend and confidant. Brantley and Brad were simply an awesome team. Their energies meshed so effortlessly, so I think that's why they always worked so well together. From cracking jokes with each other, to countless trips to get tacos for lunch -- I hear somewhere along the way they got some work done too haha! But really -- it seemed like everytime I called Brad around lunchtime, he and Brantley were on their way to get tacos!!! Brantley's love of good food alone makes him my kind of guy! 

I know that Brantley left an incredible mark on my brothers life and his memory will always live on.  Sending love and prayers to Kathy and all who loved him.

Will echo Gerry and Gudi's comments below and say that we couldn't be blessed enough to have had a better neighbor in Brantley than we did.  Always enjoyed talking sports and diagnosing various home improvement problems together and Brantley was always so kind to our children also.  Brantley was a great man, full of kindness and will be greatly missed by our family.  Rest In Peace and Kathy you are in our thoughts and prayers.

I will miss Brantley's jokes about the Atlanta Falcons. He was a really nice person to work with. My prayers are with his family.

Brantley was a big reason that I joined BB&T.   He was excited to help grow a portfolio in GA and he had a lot of success in doing just that.   He and I worked closely together and shared a lot of time in the office, trying to solve the world's problems.  We also shared much time in the car going to see clients.  He was always easy to be with and clearly had a brilliant mind.    Brantley was always proud of his marriage , family and friendships.  Brantley was keenly aware of how harsh the corporate world can be and he modeled how to be humble and not take the corporate bureaucracy too seriously.  He was right.  He encouraged me to have fun and enjoy myself at work, which is not always easy.   I'm very sad to know that Brantley will not be able to spend more time with his family and friends, but I am very thankful to call him a friend. 
Mark Griffin

           It's hard to put things into words when people are gone. Finding the perfect thing to say is impossible, but if anything was certain about Brantley, it was that he was a good man. His life was dedicated to his family, and for every blessing he was given, he gave to those he loved. No matter how difficult the circumstances, he was too kind to not help. His heart was solid gold, and he lived a beautiful life in that reflection.

 You were gone too soon, thank you for the love, and thank you for your time.

Brantley, little  did you know that when you walked in the room, you provided safety, assurance, a wit like no other, quiet, stealth-like leadership, and a love and kindness that is only learned from serving others.   I adored you. 

God speed you beautiful, prince of a man.  

My sweet, sweet Brantley.   I will love you until the day I pass from this existence  to the next, and then I will find you again and love you some more. Rest my brother. 

My Dearest Brantley,
You were my rock, my soul mate.  I'm grateful for the rich memories that fill my heart.  I love you so much.  I miss you deeply but I know you are at peace Baby Brother.
Lisa

Rest in peace uncle Brantley, my second dad. You were such a positive influence in my life. You taught me the importance of preparing for my future and making good decisions. You shared your love of food with me introducing me to Thai, Indian, sushi, pho, bibimbop, hot wings and much more. I’m so thankful that I got to go to South Korea and eat dumplings from Grandma’s food stall with you. I am a better person because of you and I will miss you dearly. 

I worked quite closely with Brantley when we both served at the old Wachovia.  He was my credit officer, so there was a healthy amount of day-to-day jousting.  But working with Brantley and getting to know him proved a real delight.  He came in every day with impeccable ethics, great intellectual curiosity about our clients, and good credit skills.  He also was a classic team player, and if you sold him on your deal, he wanted to win just as much as you did.  Brantley had a good and irrepressible sense of humor, which helped during long days in the office or on the road.  I kept him up with him at intervals as we both moved on to different employers, and I was not surprised to see him serve as a leader at BB+T.  He was an Old Atlanta Boy and loved his wife and family--I know he was really looking forward to retirement.  Please accept my sincere sympathies at your loss.  John Canty

The BEST next-door neighbor at Ardmore Square, Diane Echols initially with her four children, and most recently only Brantley and Kathy.  For over 40 years, they always brought to us and our small community all of the multiple, continuing qualities of the good neighbor.

We loved the sharing of their family in good and challenging times, always peppered  with Brantley's unique skills and contagious fun and humor.

In sorrow with family and friends for our loss, we celebrate with Brantley his eternal birthday!  Love, Gudrun and Gerald  

Dearest Kathy,
Our family is grieving with you at the loss of your incredible husband, Brantley. He was such a great friend and wonderful mentor to our son Brad, they shared so many great times over the years! May God comfort you during this difficult time. With much love, Susan, Randy, Brad and Brooke Sands

Brantley was the first friend I met when I moved to Atlanta, as he and his wife moved next door to me just after I moved here. For 27 years we shared a lot, from joint home improvement projects, to about 500 miles of backpacking. He was a good neighbor, and a good friend. He will be  missed.

As Program Coordinator II of the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Atlanta,  I worked with Brantley as a Board Member and Volunteer. He loved the kids and anything we asked of him was done without hesitancy. During the school year we opened as a Day Camp for assisting members with Virtual School. Our biggest problem was feeding the kids because Food Programs were having issues. Brantley along with other Board Members stepped in and would order food for the kids to ensure that they were fed. Before taking the position as Program Coordinator, I was Mentoring Program Coordinator. Brantley answered my call of needing male mentors for our boys and started volunteering at the Bellwood Club. He treated the boys on a field trip to get tennis lessons and they loved it! Brantley took the time to create a memorable moment for Boys who needed that guidance and attention. He was someone who was genuinely kind and knowing him was a gift. Brantley had a heart for helping and giving however he could. His legacy will live on through the many lives he touched and impacted. 

To the family and his beloved wife, I pray that God gives you peace and joy in knowing that you had the pleasure of sharing life with one of his angels here on Earth.
 Rest in Peace Brantley 

B.E.
Joshua T. Dickerson

An angel on Earth.
A man amongst men.
A servant and a leader.
A gentle voice and strong actions.
A brilliant mind and a beautiful heart.
A calming breeze of sunshine.
An advocate for others and a voice for the often unheard.
We will miss you brother.


Brother Brantley. I will miss you dearly, the children and staff of The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Atlanta will miss you. 
It’s been an honor working with you. Thank you for being a great man of God who lead with actions.  Thank you for the texts and calls. The laughter and talks.  I’ll miss our conversation about the Braves.  
I’ll always remember how you lead with truth and dignity. I have attached some photos of a card that I was going to give you at the golf tournament. The kids of Bellwood made it for you this summer, to thank you for mentoring and the pizza party.
Forever in our hearts brother. 

I met Brantley seven years ago when I started working for The Salvation Army. I met him at a time that he was looking to get more involved with TSA as a volunteer. We went on tours of our Red Shield Shelter and our Fuqua Boys & Girls Club. As soon as he toured the Clubs he knew he wanted to serve and mentor the kids at B&GC. He was a consistent and dedicated  volunteer who the kids grew to love and admire. Getting to know him over the years has been an honor and privilege. To Kathy and family I am so sorry for your loss! He spoke of  you and his nephews and nieces with great fondness and affection. He was a friend and will be missed!  God Bless you all!

I am so fortunate to call Brantley my friend.  He was a business partner, but our friendship transcended a professional relationship, which is rare.  Because of this friendship I can tell this story.  

Brad, Brantley and I were going to see a client.  Brantley was so confident he knew the way and we blindly followed his instructions because surely Brantley would not lead us astray.  Well, after about an hour down the road, Brad asked him if he was sure we were going the right way.  Brantley was confident we were,.  Trust but verify, so Brad decided to check GPS.  Long story short, if Brad had not checked, we might still be going in the wrong direction.  After that we only used GPS!!!!!!!!!!

Brantley I will miss you.  Your wit, guidance and directions will never be forgotten.

Brantley was the perfect southern gentleman.  I was lucky enough to serve with him on the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club council.  
We all enjoyed him so and he loved working with the kids.  He will truly be missed by so many. My heart goes out to his wife and family. He loved and talked of you often. 
God bless you 


My family knew the Echols family. Especially Brantley, who played with our son, Tad.  We lived on same street in Atlanta for many years. Saddened to learn of his too young death.  Remembering 
Brantley’s family.   

OBITUARY

Brantley Echols

12 February, 1962 – 25 August, 2021

H.M. Patterson & Son-Oglethorpe Hill Chapel

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