Ruth Woodall Branch died peacefully at home in Chula on Sunday, January 12, 2014, at the age of 90. She was the widow of Opus Nathaniel Branch, Sr. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 17, 2014, at Chula Baptist Church. Rev. Chad Hall will officiate with burial to follow at Hickory Springs Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. Ernie Bishop, Ches Smith V, Nate Branch, Jonathan Branch, Ed Hoover, Matt Huckeba, Gerald Branch and Wayne Branch will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Van Graves, Buddy Talley, Leroy Saylor, Dan Gibson, Reid Wilson, Roger Womack, Dr. Larry Branch and Irvin Branch. The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 16, 2014, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals. Mrs. Branch will be placed in the church one hour prior to the service.
She was born on June 20, 1923 in Blackshear to Clarence Charles Woodall and Lauree Traylor Woodall, both deceased. She was the sixth child of eight children, all deceased. Her siblings were Traylor Woodall, Mary Keller, Roselyn Miles, Lauree Boyd, Clarence Jr., Ralph Woodall and E.A. “Gus” Woodall.
After her high school graduation from Blackshear High School, she worked in the Civil Service in Savannah. She was widowed in 1971 and continued to manage the O. N. Branch Farms until her death. She was also a retired receptionist for the Reinhardt Law Firm.
Mrs. Branch is survived by her children and their spouses, Delia and Dr. Harry Hamm of Valdosta, Judi Branch of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, Susan Branch of New York, New York, Rosemary Branch of Chula and Opus Nathaniel “Nathan” Jr. and Karen Branch of Thomasville; her grandchildren and their spouses, Ernie Bishop of Ty Ty, Natalie Bishop of Valdosta, Ches and Kim Smith of Bogart, Betsy and Ed Hoover of Mexico, Missouri, Nate and Jessica Branch of Moultrie, Blair and Matt Huckeba of Atlanta, Jonathan Branch of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Kelly and Ty Hardin of Canton and Jaime and Steve Cacchio of Saint Augustine, Florida; and her great-grandchildren, Lucy and Ches Smith VI of Bogart, Peyton Hoover of Mexico, Missouri, Lainey Jaye Branch of Moultrie, Ellis Ruth Huckeba of Atlanta, Layton Cacchio of Saint Augustine, Florida and Lane and Lynlee Hardin of Canton.
The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation for the love, compassion and gentle care to her daughter, Rosemary Branch and special caregiver, Patricia “Punky” Simmons and Hospice of Tiftarea.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial gifts may be made to Chula Baptist Church, 30 Academy Drive, Chula, GA 31733.