James William "JW" Branch Sr.

Mr. James William “JW” Branch Sr, 82 of Walnut Cove, passed away Tuesday. May 24, 2022. Mr. Branch was born in Surry County on July 15, 1939 to the late William Dillard Branch and Lillian Stephens Branch. He retired after 40 years as a Tool and Die maker from Proctor Silex. After his retirement he drove a bus for  Surry Central high school and Central middle school for the next 10 years before moving from Surry County to Walnut Cove to be closer to his grandchildren. In his earlier years he was a little league coach for the Salem Cardinals baseball team as well as the Dobson Eagles football team. He was an avid bowler and loved building and flying his radio-controlled airplanes. He was an active Mason and Past Master at Copeland Lodge #390 AFAM.He was also a member of the Winston Salem Scottish Rite. He was a member of First Christian Church in Walnut Cove. In addition to his parents, Mr. Branch was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Joan McQuinn Branch, his sister, Mary Etta Branch Moxley, brothers-in-law, Ira McQuinn, Charles McQuinn, Bob McQuinn, and Ralph Mier; sisters-in-law, Sharon McQuinn and Joyce McQuinn. He is survived by his sons, James William (Sonny) Branch, Jr. and wife, Robin of Walnut Cove; Jerold Dewayne Branch of Parrish, FL; and Jackie Dean Branch of the home;  his grandchildren, Jared & Melanie Branch of Sumter, SC; Patrick Branch & Izzy Fulks of Walnut Cove and Ciani Branch of Parrish, FL;  his great granddaughter, Rhiley Branch of Sumter, SC; a brother and sister-in-law, Harold & Peggy Branch of Matthews, sisters and brothers-in-law, Novella & George Champion of Salisbury and Linda & Tony Jackson of High Point; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, James McQuinn of Wenatchee, WA; Don and Gloria McQuinn of Westfield, Jeff Evans of Indianapolis, IN; Cathy Mier of Camby IN, Josette McQuinn of Woodbridge, VA and Judy McQuinn of Madison, WI.  He also leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. A visitation for his family and friends will be held at Moody’s Funeral Home in Dobson, Sunday, May 29, 2022, from 6-8:00 PM. A visitation and celebration of Mr. Branch’s life will be held at 2:00 PM Monday, May 30, 2022, at First Christian Church in Walnut Cove with the Rev. Abby Catoe officiating.Mr. Branch will lie in state from 1:00 PM till service time at the church. Masonic Rite burial at the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Masonic Home for Children 600 College Street, Oxford, NC 27565; Eldora Handicamp, c/o Kevin Simpson, 1994 Twin Oaks Road, Elkin, NC 28621; or First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) P.O. Box 337, Walnut Cove, NC 27052. Moody Davis Funeral Service in Dobson is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.moodyfuneralservices.com