Jan Sharon Brantly

Jan Sharon (Snell) Brantly, 83, a resident of Indianapolis, IN, went peacefully to be with her Lord on Saturday morning, March 29, 2025, surrounded by her family, after a long illness. She was born August 5, 1941, in Gainesboro, TN, to the late Thomas Ralph, Sr., and Ruby Lee (Eley) Snell.

Jan graduated from Mars Hill Bible School, Florence, AL, and David Lipscomb College, Nashville, TN, where she earned her Bachelor of Science and met her husband, James M. (Jim) Brantly. Jan was a member of the Southeastern Church of Christ, where she taught children's Bible classes for many years, and the Indianapolis Christian School Ladies Associates. She was a faithful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend who loved people well and whose influence touched all who loved her. The fourth of ten children, Jan learned early the joy of feeding large groups of people. Affectionately known by many as "Mama", she fed thousands of people during her lifetime, most notably through the ICS Luau, the Spring Mill Bible Camp Kitchen, and the Southeastern Church of Christ Pit Stop Ministry, but also around the table in the welcoming home that she and Jim made together. She was famous for her homemade rolls, pecan pies, and pimento cheese. She was a selfless and faithful servant of the Lord who enjoyed singing, reading, birdwatching, cooking, supporting her children and grandchildren in their activities, long road trips with Jim to visit family or see the natural beauty of America, and caring for everyone around her.

Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband of more than 61 years, Jim Brantly, whom she married on June 7, 1963; their children, Carole (Duwain) Houston, Kevin (Theresa) Brantly, Kerry (Shelley) Brantly, Krista Brantly, Chad (Elisa) Brantly, Kent (Amber) Brantly, and beloved nephew Nathan (Tracy) Snell; their grandchildren, Brantly, Callie, Kendall (Khalil Cavil), and Cason Houston; Coral, Landon (Sophie), Collin, and Tara Brantly; Sydney and Shelby Brantly; Ruby and Stephen Brantly; her siblings, Joy Brown, Tom (Jincy) Snell, Jerrilyn Kelley, Kenneth (Susan) Snell, David (Jane) Snell, Jonathan (Lea) Snell; in-laws Lou Ann (Frank) Black and Phil (Liz) Brantly; and numerous other family members and friends she loved.

She was preceded in death by her parents listed above; parents-in-law S. Kermit and Ruby Brantly; sisters, Jewel Kendrick, Joan Dixon, and Jill Watson; and brothers-in-law, Ronald Kendrick, Jerry Brown, Bob Dixon, Russell Watson, and Richard Kelley.

Visitation will be on Sunday, April 6, 2025, from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm at Southeastern Church of Christ, 6500 Southeastern Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46203. A funeral service celebrating her life will follow at 4:30 pm with Dr. Greg York officiating. A graveside service will be Monday, April 7, 10:00 am, at Orchard Hill Cemetery, Wanamaker, IN.

The family would like to thank Anew Hospice and Senior Home Companions for their compassionate and gentle care. Memorial Contributions may be sent to: Southeastern Church of Christ Food Pantry or to your favorite local church food pantry.

Online memories and condolence may be shared at www.stillingerfamily.com