A celebration of Life for Mr. Ellard Huelon Brantley, 94, of Monroe, Louisiana will be at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, April 17, 2026, in the Mausoleum Chapel at Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery, 623 Hwy 80E, Monroe in Monroe, LA with Rev. William Smith officiating. Entombment will follow in Mulhearn Memorial Park Mausoleum under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home, 2308 Sterlington Rd, Monroe, LA.

Mr. Brantley was born July 7, 1931, in Fairview Alpha, LA and passed away April 11, 2026, in Lafayette, LA at his daughter’s (Brenda Dudley) home.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Gloria Charles Brantley; and only child (daughter), Brenda Brantley Dudley; great-nephews: Newton Hudson (wife Jami), Glynn Hudson (wife Brenda), John Brantley (wife Johnet); great-nieces: Joni Crow, Renae Monk (husband Mike), Ann Morris (husband David), Norvelee “Norva” B. Mesteyer; and numerous great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and three fur grandbabies. He was affectionately known as “Uncle Tud” by some of his nieces and nephews.

Ellard was well-educated and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Northeast LA University (ULM) in Monroe and a Master’s degree at Mississippi College in Clinton, MS. He attended Oklahoma State University, Ole Miss, LA Tech, George Peabody in Tennessee, and Pearl River Jr. College in Mississippi. He played football at multiple colleges as well. Mr. Brantley was also a Mason and a Shriner for over 50 years,

Mr. Brantley was known around the Monroe and West Monroe community as the “Man in Black” like Johnny Cash. He wore black suits and black casual clothes regularly. He was a Principal and teacher at various elementary, high schools and private schools in Louisiana and retired after 42 years in the school system. Over the years, he was a teacher, coach of various sports, and Principal with his specialty and background in special education. Prior to this, he paid his way through college working for various companies in the oilfield. He also owned a furniture business on the side for 10 years buying and selling used furniture and appliances. In this business, people in the community referred to him as “Mr. Ed or Mr. B”.

Ellard was a disciplined, principled man of great character. He was also a jokester and a storyteller with a unique personality. He was funny, smart, kind and always had a positive attitude and a smile. He would give the shirt off his back to anyone less fortunate and tried to help others in any way he could. In the last few years, he developed some rhymes he liked to quote to people. When asked how he was doing, he would say “doing good in the neighborhood”, “feeling great like TV8”. He often said, “any amount you can count” and many other rhymes to make people chuckle.

In 1972, Mr. Brantley invented a conveyor for football tackling and blocking dummy that simulated player motion in football practice, and he received a patent on this device.

Ellard was known for being an avid health enthusiast exercising daily most of his life until he was 92 years old. He walked 8 miles a day, lifted weights, and rode a bicycle daily. He was committed to exercising daily regardless of rain, snow, cold or hot temperatures. He was an inspiration to many in the community. You could also find him working in the yard and working on home projects regularly. He watched his health closely and ate the healthiest foods he could find.

Ellard met the love of his life, Gloria Charles, at Northeast LA University (ULM) while in college in 1955. They married on 12-24-1960. At the time of his death, they had been married 65 years. Ellard and Gloria had a beautiful daughter, Brenda, in 1963. Ellard always bragged that he was the one who named his daughter.

Mr. Brantley is preceded in death by his mother, Lamourie “Dude” Williams Brantley; father, John Almon Brantley; brother, John Norvel Brantley; and sister-in-law, Olive Brantley; sister, Norma Hudson and brother-in-law, Charles Hudson; along with numerous other relatives.

Mr. Brantley loved to watch LSU and New Orleans Saints football regularly as well as other sports events. He loved to read, study and learn new things. His favorites were philosophy books and studying various types of religions.

The family would like to thank a few people who helped and cared for Mr. Brantley during the last two years and people who became like family. They thank his caregivers, Cynthia “Cindy” Trueblood and Kem Maturin, Amy Lovell, Director of Nursing, and Katelyn Boone, Care Coordinator, all from Right at Home in Lafayette, LA. Special thanks to Nurse Lacey Carrigee and Nurse Kayla Trahan from Nursing Specialties for all the care and support. Thanks to nurses Laura Greenway and Dana Summers with Heart of Hospice for taking such good care of him over the last couple years. Special thanks also to his neighbors in Lafayette who helped him for years and became part of his family, Latarus “Tarus” Gray and Dezinarell “Tony” Gray.

Ellard Brantley lived a long, full and happy life with the ones he loved. His legacy lives on through the lives he touched.