Sonya Gayle (Dowdy) Brantley

SANTA FE – Sonya Gayle Brantley, 84, of Santa Fe, Texas, passed away Thursday, April 30, 2026.

She was born on August 27, 1941 in Tyler, Texas to Augusta and Eva Dowdy. Sonya had been a member of Arcadia First Baptist Church for 70 years. She volunteered with church programs, crisis pregnancy center and was a member of the bell choir. She was a member of the women’s auxiliary for the Arcadia Volunteer Fire Department alongside her husband who served as fire chief. She worked for Kelley Services, as a secretary in Union Carbide and other various places. She retired in 2000 to a life of leisure and travel all over the US and abroad, enjoying skiing, train rides, festivals and food! She loved taking her grandkids on trips with her.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 56 years, Joe Brantley.

She is survived by her 3 children, Jay and Kathy Brantley, Trish Brantley, Gayla and Billy Richardson; grandchildren, Rachel Wilhoit, Courtney Heater (Chris), William Richardson (Jamie), Adam Shaffer (Miranda), Samantha Peters (CJ), Alaina Shaffer, Sara Shaffer, Ryan Brantley, Regan Golden (Geremiah), VJ Gallaway; great-grandchildren, Avery Heater, Reese Wilhoit, Bryce Heater, Luke Shaffer, Ashlynn Thompson, Tatum Martin, Tymber Martin, Kinsley Wilhoit, Kye Jankowski, Maximus Wilkins, Ella Richardson, Lydia Richardson and Brooklyn Garcia.

A memorial service will be Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., at Arcadia First Baptist Church, 14828 Highway 6, Santa Fe, Texas 77517, with Pastor Joshua McDonald officiating.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Nantz National Alzheimer Center, 6560 Fannin Street, 7th Floor, Houston, Texas 77030, to support medical research into Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

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