Obituary—Girtie Mae Branch

Girtie Mae Branch was born May 25, 1939 in Hornersville, Missouri to her late parents, Tom and Floradale Mc Guire.  She passed away on April 14, 2022, at the NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro, Arkansas, at the age of 82 years.  Girtie was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Gene Branch, two sisters, Butone Housman and Juanita Gozell, and one brother, Frank Hunt.

Survivors include one daughter, Sharon Zolman of Arbyrd, Missouri, two sons, Donnie (Carmen) Branch of Groveland, Florida, Tommy (Marilyn) Branch of Cardwell, Missouri, and one sister, Anna Sue Followell of Paragould, Arkansas.  Surviving grandchildren include Mitchell (Christie) Zolman of Paragould, Arkansas, Christy Zolman of Senath, Missouri, Maddison (Camren) Browning of Millington, Tennessee, Lindsey (Chris) Coffman of Tampa, Florida, Jana Jansson of McKinney, Texas, and Christopher (Elizabeth) Branch of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota.  Surviving great-grandchildren include Hannah Zolman, Jacob Zolman, Elizabeth Browning, Ava and Kynlee Coffman, Nathan and Noah Jansson, and Halie (Jansson) Ricchi married to Kyle Ricchi.  Girtie also has many surviving nieces and nephews.

Girtie loved the Lord, her family, and her church family.  She was a Christian for many years and a long-time member of Greater Life UPC in Arbyrd, Missouri.  She taught Sunday school and loved to sing as often as she could.  Girtie and women of her church often visited a local nursing home in Kennett, Missouri to sing and conduct Bible readings.  She worked at Emerson Electric Company for approximately 30 years and retired in 1995.  Girtie developed many friendships, as she and her late husband enjoyed playing music weekly with friends in their homes and nursing homes.  She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, with the best interest of others always in mind.

Pallbearers:  Adam Followell, Kenny Hunt, George Taylor, Terry Letson, Kevin Letson, and Randy McDaniel

Officiating: Rev. Vernon Purser and Rev. Link Followell

Memorials can be made to Greater Life UPC, Arbyrd, MO 63821 or the Cardwell Cemetery, P.O. Box 482, Cardwell, MO 63829.

McDaniel Funeral Service of Senath in charge of the arrangements.

Online condolences may be made to mcdanielfuneralservice.com.