H. John Brantley, Jr.

Mr. H. John Brantley, Jr. has provided the following biography in memory of his wife,Hilda Anne Nolen Brantley, for whom the scholarship is named.

Our Hilda grew up in Jay, Florida on Iva Road, which is named for Hilda’s grandmother, Iva Scroggins. Her family grew up in a home built by her father, Eldridge Nolen, and her grandmother and grandfather Andrew Scroggins lived next door. The families were very close and always had a beautiful garden each year where they raised vegetables and fruits which were gathered and then canned for the entire family.
This is where Hilda got her love of art from her grandmother. Iva was a master quiltmaker and she cut, pieced, and sewed, many fine quilts for the family, as well as selling some of them to area individuals. Everyone knew of her skills and the workmanship she used with her tiny stitches and meticulous patience in selecting, cutting, piecing, and sewing each quilt to perfection! The quilting frames were always hanging in the living room, in front of the fireplace, where all of the final sewing was completed. Other family members might also be present and lots of family talk and chores were completed there too. Many nights were spent sewing each quilt to her high standard, until being finally finished and inspected, for either an heirloom for the family, or to be sold to some lucky buyer from the area.
Hilda and her grandmother would order small craft kits that came in the mail to the house, and they would spend hours sanding, cutting, fitting, and hand decorating each kit until finished. Usually these were given as gifts to the family, taken to church events, or kept for a keepsake if Hilda and her grandmother really admired the piece and wanted to keep it forever.
Hilda actually was able to spend a lot of her early life with her grandmother, since her mother, Jean Nolen, worked shiftwork with a local industrial company out of town. She even had her own room in her grandmother’s house which used to be a favorite uncle’s room in the past. It was uncle Albert’s room. In this warm family environment, Hilda learned to love art, as well as nature and the outdoors.
Hilda was a wonderful “big sister” to her two younger sisters Teresa and Delaine, and a younger brother Buddy as well. She spent hours tending to her siblings, and would also expose them to art and nature in many educational and fun ways. These included:

• Field trips together to local sights to visit and draw
• Sketching sessions of different objects
• Cutting, sewing, and stuffing play animals
• Creating and sewing clothes for their dolls
• Sessions on teaching manners, etc.
  Her brother would also participate in some of these activities with them too.

After graduation from Jay High School in 1970, Hilda decided to attend Jefferson Davis Junior College in Brewton, Alabama, to complete her freshman and sophomore courses before continuing her studies at the University of West Florida in 1973. There she would complete all of her college level classes and major in studio art. She loved drawing classes, painting classes, and ceramics too. She commuted each day from Jay in her little red hatchback car completing all of her courses, and due to financial need, she participated in the work study program at the University. She worked as a Student Assistant in the commons building. She performed various administrative duties, and aided students each day with their varied selection of needs. Upon completion of her course work, she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Studio Art in 1975.
Hilda had a great career working in several industries, using her art training, especially in the sales and marketing position she held at Knud Nielson Company in Alabama for over 22 years. She handled 350 customers worldwide daily. These customers included The White House in our nation’s capital, in Washington, D.C.
Throughout Hilda’s life, education, and employment, she was always kind to any and everyone she met. She formed bonds with many students, teachers, employees, and supervisors, that still exist till this day! Everyone loved Hilda and Hilda loved them! Hilda has always enjoyed using her art as a blessing to people. She has always worked with children to inspire artistic goals and develop an appreciation for art. She has enjoyed painting important buildings such as her old church where she attended, painted old home places for individuals, and created paper art such as bookmarks, multi-fold cards, journals of all types, and other beautiful items, until she stepped into eternity. Hilda loved and cherished each and every item she ever created.

With Highest Regards,
H. John Brantley, Jr.