Elder Willie Branch

Elder Willie Branch, age 82, of Mt. Airy, NC passed away on Sunday Morning October 18, 2009, at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson. He was born in Surry Co. on March 30, 1927 to the late Jesse and Nora Hodges Branch. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his step mother Ola Mae Callahan Brindle, his first wife Myrtle A. Branch, daughter Peggy Branch Keiler, sister Beulah Branch Calhoun Marion, eight brothers Johnny Lee, Bobby Jesse, Calvin, , Norman, Franklin, Wesley, Arnold, and Herman Branch. Elder Branch was a member of Little Vine Primitive Baptist Church and was the Pastor of the Church. He also served as the pastor of Union Primitive Baptist Church, and Zion Hill Primitive Baptist Church. He served as the moderator of the Fisher River Association for 30 years. He was a retired Farmer. Surviving is his wife Mrs. JoAnn Dancy Branch, of the home; daughters and sons-in-law Nora and Roger O'Neal of Elkin, NC, Elaine Bowman of Claudeville , VA , Sue and Jim Douglas of Statesville, NC, Debbie Branch of Elkin, NC, Vera and Raymond Dancy of Graham, NC; sons and daughters-in-law Bill and Kathy Branch of Ararat, VA, Joe Branch of Elkin, Elder Avery and Kathy Branch of Elkin, NC; Step daughters and step sons-in-law Anita and Mark Wagner of Wytheville, VA, Lisa and John Brooks of Bristol, VA; step son and step daughter-in-law Daniel and Sabrina Sturgill of Rural Retreat, VA; fifteen grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, six step grandchildren; sisters and brothers-in-law Lucy Branch of Elkin, NC, Faye and Royce Webster, Stella and Allen Seagroves all of Apex, NC. Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Tuesday October 20, 2009 at Little Vine Primitive Baptist Church with burial to follow in the Church Cemetery. Elder Larry Blevins, Elder Eddie Lyle, Elder Victor Church and Elder Joey Jenkins will officiate the services. His body will be carried to Little Vine Primitive Baptist Church on Monday evening where the family will receive friends from 6 until 9 PM. After the visitation his body will be taken back to Moody-Davis funeral Home until carried to the Church on Tuesday to lie in state one hour before the service. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the Little Vine Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery Fund C/O Johnny Ray Childress, 9122 NC HWY 268, Elkin, NC 28621. The family would like to give a special thanks to the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home and staff, for the love and care given.
Online condolences may be made at www.moodyfuneralservices.com