Mrs. Earlene “Bobbie” Brantley was a native of Kosciusko, Mississippi, and a pillar of HOPE and strength to her family and community. Ms. Allie Mae Fletcher, also a native of Kosciusko, Mississippi, was a solid rock in her family and an inspiration to all who knew her. Mrs. Brantley grew up during the civil rights movement, which made her no stranger to adversity, but through it all, she remained self-sacrificing when it came to her family and others. Ms. Fletcher was the seventh of nine children to Allen and Millie Rayford Fletcher. While not able to receive a formal college education, Ms. Fletcher ensured her seven children’s educational needs were met and that they were equipped to meet the economic and social demands of life. Mrs. Brantley believed the most rewarding feeling one can ever experience, is to GIVE, especially to those who are not able to give back to you. She believed this act honored GOD and gave others HOPE. Ms. Fletcher died in 2004 from complications of heart disease, but she lived a long and happy life, with joy in knowing she had given her best not only to the ones she loved but to all she encountered. Mrs. Brantley was married to Lawrence Wayne Brantley for over 40 amazing years, and through this union four children were born. She was known in her community as a wife, mother, sister, aunt, friend, and HOPEinstiller to many. Mr. Lawrence Steven Brantley and Dr. Audwin Fletcher co-established the AWARD OF “HOPE” book scholarship through the Mississippi Nurses Foundation in honor and in memory of Lawrence Steven Brantley’s, mother, Mrs. Earlene “Bobbie” Brantley and Dr. Audwin Fletcher’s grandmother, Ms. Allie Mae Fletcher, his biggest supporter in his aspirations of becoming a nurse.

This $250 scholarship is given in honor and memory of Earlene “Bobbie” Brantley and Allie Mae Fletcher to a Mississippi nursing student.

• Currently enrolled and in good academic standing in a Mississippi college/university with a 2.5 GPA

• African American student

• Member of a Student Nurses Association

• Community Involvement

• Letter of reference

• Application and essay submitted by the deadline date