Lina Mae Brindle Branch

Mrs. Lina Mae Brindle Branch, 83, of 5184 Rockford Street, Mount Airy, passed away Thursday, April 24, 2008, at Northern Hospital of Surry County. Mrs. Branch was born July 19, 1924, in Randolph County, the first of nine children born to the late William Rufus Brindle, Jr. and Lula Ethel Haynes Brindle. Mae was reared on a rural, family farm in the Dobson community. She was the valedictorian of her graduating class from Dobson High School, and she was a member of the high school's debate team. For all who knew her, Mae loved to read, a passion that she instilled in her six children. Her love of reading helped her in serving as a member of the Board of Directors for the Dobson Community Library. Mae enjoyed working side by side with her husband, Claude, on the family farm. She also loved working in her yard and planting flowers. Most importantly, Mae was concerned with her daily walk with the Lord. Her strong faith in Jesus Christ will be long remembered by her loving and devoted family. Mrs. Branch was a member of Salem Baptist Church. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, William Claude Branch of the home; three daughters and sons-in-law, Eileen and Gary Kidd and Jan and Garnett Beasley, all of Mount Airy, and Kathy and Gary Horton of Hillsville, VA; three sons and daughters-in-law, Phillip and Wanda Branch and Andy and Treva Branch, all of Mount Airy, and the Rev. Alan and Kathy Branch of Pilot Mountain; thirteen grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; five sisters and four brothers-in-law, Myrtle Apple of Atlanta, GA, Nettie and Darrell Coe of Winston-Salem, Edna and Jack Wall of Rural Hall, and Janet and Wilbur Shinault and Carolyn and Billy C. White, all of Dobson; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Branch was preceded in death by a son-in-law, William Johnson; two sisters, Geraldine "Gerry" Brindle and Martha Adams; and a brother, Arthur Brindle. A service to celebrate Mae's life will be held Sunday, April 27, 2008, at 2:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Mount Airy. The service will be conducted by the Rev. Van Brindle and the Rev. Roland McCraw, and burial will follow in the Blues Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at the funeral home. Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions can be made to the Dobson Community Library, P.O. Box 1264, Dobson, NC 27017.