Wilbert Branch

Obituary

Obituary for Bro. Wilbert Branch
Sunrise: May 18, 1924
Sunset: January 8, 2022
 

Lifelong Lockhart resident Bro. Wilbert Branch, 97, passed away peacefully Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022 at Chilsom Trail Nursing Home.

Bro. Branch was born May 18, 1924 to Samuel Branch and Edna Alaman Branch. He was the fourth of nine children born to that union.

On June 27, 1961 Bro. Branch united in Holy Matrimony with Marie Anita Pettit. The family united with St. James AME Church in 1962 where five of their children were baptized. The Branchs' worked tirelessly as a team in numerous areas of the church and often prepared meals at the church and in their home for visiting clergy and Presiding Elders. It was not unusual for him to arrive at the church early on cold Sunday mornings to turn on the heat in preparation for worship. He served on the Finance Committee, Hospitality Committee, Church Upkeep Committee, the Usher Board, and the Steward Board. He served in the capacity as Steward Pro Tem under the pastoral leaderships of the Revs. Otha Edison and Cynthia Ladson. In later years, he served as Steward Emeritus.

Bro. Branch worked in various industries during his lifetime. He worked in transportation serving as a school bus driver for Lockhart Independent School District, new car transport driver, and taxi driver, and in the early 1980s, he and his wife operated a cafe on the square.

Bro. Branch was preceded in death by his wife Marie, his parents, brothers, Leon Branch, Herman Branch, Robert L. Branch, Samuel Branch Jr., Edgar "Stein" Branch; sisters, Bessie M. Branch, Edna M. McClain, and Elizabeth D. McClain; and daughters, Linda Gail Branch Watson, Modestyne Williams,, Oscar Marie Cheatham,, Doris Branch Horsley, Brenda Branch Duncan and Gwendolyn M. Johnson.

He is survived by two sons, Henry E. Branch of Lockhart TX, Will Branch (Darleen) of AustinTx; two daughters, Wanda Branch Johnson of Houston Tx, and Doris Branch Horsley (Vince) of Hickory, Tenn.; 22 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews  .Included are: , Monique Williams (Lyle), Felicia Johnson, Anitra Johnson Thomas (Cyrus), Kevin Johnson, Eric Watson (Randy), Dana Martin (Derek), Alan Watson (Ebonee), Christy Branch (Jose), Quentin Branch, Rhonda Brooks.

Special thanks and love to his Best Friend Mrs. Emma Pearl Johnson, Mr. Robert Chavira, and home care provider Ms. Nancy Williams, all other healthcare providers, and the staff at Chilsom Trail Nursing Home. The family offers their thanks and appreciation for all expressions of sympathy and kindness shown to them during this time of bereavement.

The Celebration of Life service will be 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022 at Hooks Cemetery, with the Rev. Cynthia Ladson officiating. Funeral services are with Eeds Funeral Home 408 South Main Street, Lockhart, Texas 78644.

Due to COVID-19 masks are mandatory and social distancing is required

ment.

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