John Robert (Spottie) Branch Sr 21 SEP 1917 - 29 APRIL 2003 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JOHN ROBERT BRANCH WAKEFIELD - John Robert Branch, 85, a lifelong resident of Wakefield, passed away Tuesday, April 29, 2003, at McGuire Veteran's Hospital in Richmond, Va. "Spottie," as he was known to family and friends, was born Sept. 21, 1917, a son of the late George Newsome Branch Sr. and Mamie Clark Branch. He proudly served his country during World War II as a member of the U.S. Army. He had retired from the former Sussex Oil Co., was a member of the Wakefield Hunt Club, the V.F.W. and the American Legion. He leaves to cherish his precious memory, his wife, Anna B. Branch; two daughters, Faye B. Cook and husband, Frank, of Ivor, and Patricia B. Gross and husband, Butch, of Carrollton; one son, John R."Bobby" Branch Jr. and wife, Terri, of Waverly; six grandchildren, Jeremy Branch, Erin Branch, Bobby Gross, Tyler Gross, Laura Gross, and Karen Cook; one brother, George N. Branch Jr. and wife, Jackie, of Hopewell; one sister, Rebecca B. Rickman of Wakefield; and a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one brother, Ishmuel E. Branch, and one sister, Frances B. Brittle. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 3 [2003], at Wakefield Cemetery, Wakefield, with the Rev. Jim Kerr officiating. The family will receive friends at the residence. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Wakefield Baptist Church Building Fund, Wakefield, VA 23888. Purviance Funeral Home, Wakefield, is in charge of services. Newport News, Virginia Daily Press 01 May 2003 Page 29 Obituary for "Spottie," Branch -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Birth: 21 SEP 1917 - Wakefield, Sussex County, Virginia, USA] [Death: 29 APRIL 2003 - Wakefield, Sussex County, Virginia, USA] ** Narrative Summary of the Obituary** John Robert Branch Sr (Spottie), born 21 Sep 1917 in Wakefield, died 29 Apr 2003 in Wakefield. Survived by wife Anna, 3 children, 6 grandchildren, siblings George Jr and Rebecca. ** Narrative Summary of Funeral Services** Graveside services held 3 May 2003 at Wakefield Cemetery in Wakefield. Rev Jim Kerr officiated. Family received friends at residence. --- **Transcript** John Robert (Spottie) Branch Sr 21 SEP 1917 - 29 APRIL 2003 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JOHN ROBERT BRANCH WAKEFIELD - John Robert Branch, 85, a lifelong resident of Wakefield, passed away Tuesday, April 29, 2003, at McGuire Veterans Hospital in Richmond, Va. "Spottie," as he was known to family and friends, was born Sept. 21, 1917, a son of the late George Newsome Branch Sr. and Mamie Clark Branch. He proudly served his country during World War II as a member of the U.S. Army. He had retired from the former Sussex Oil Co., was a member of the Wakefield Hunt Club, the V.F.W. and the American Legion. He leaves to cherish his precious memory his wife, Anna B. Branch; two daughters, Faye B. Cook and husband, Frank, of Ivor, and Patricia B. Gross and husband, Butch, of Carrollton; one son, John R. "Bobby" Branch Jr. and wife, Terri, of Waverly; six grandchildren, Jeremy Branch, Erin Branch, Bobby Gross, Tyler Gross, Laura Gross and Karen Cook; one brother, George N. Branch Jr. and wife, Jackie, of Hopewell; one sister, Rebecca B. Rickman of Wakefield; and a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one brother, Ishmuel E. Branch, and one sister, Frances B. Brittle. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 3[2003], at Wakefield Cemetery, Wakefield, with the Rev. Jim Kerr officiating. The family will receive friends at the residence. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Wakefield Baptist Church Building Fund, Wakefield, VA 23888. Purviance Funeral Home, Wakefield, is in charge of services. Newport News, Virginia Daily Press 01 May 2003 Page 29 Obituary for "Spottie" Branch -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Birth: 21 SEP 1917 - Wakefield, Sussex County, Virginia, USA] [Death: 29 APRIL 2003 - Wakefield, Sussex County, Virginia, USA] --- ** Vital Statistics Summary** | **Name** | John Robert (Spottie) Branch Sr. | | **Age** | 85 years | | **Birth** | 21 Sep 1917; Wakefield, Sussex County, Virginia | | **Death** | 29 Apr 2003; Wakefield, Sussex County, Virginia | --- ** Table of Relationships** | **Name** | **Relationship** | **Place of Residence** | |----------------------------------|----------------------------------|------------------------| | John Robert (Spottie) Branch Sr. | Decedent | Wakefield, Virginia | | Anna B. Branch | Spouse | Wakefield, Virginia | | Faye B. Cook | Daughter | Ivor, Virginia | | Frank Cook | Son-in-law | Ivor, Virginia | | Patricia B. Gross | Daughter | Carrollton, Virginia | | Butch Gross | Son-in-law | Carrollton, Virginia | | John R. Bobby Branch Jr. | Son | Waverly, Virginia | | Terri Branch | Daughter-in-law | Waverly, Virginia | | Jeremy Branch | Grandchild | | Erin Branch | Grandchild | | Bobby Gross | Grandchild | | Tyler Gross | Grandchild | | Laura Gross | Grandchild | | Karen Cook | Grandchild | | George N. Branch Jr. | Brother | Hopewell, Virginia | | Jackie Branch | Sister-in-law | Hopewell, Virginia | | Rebecca B. Rickman | Sister | Wakefield, Virginia | | Ishmuel E. Branch | Predeceased brother | | Frances B. Brittle | Predeceased sister | | George Newsome Branch Sr. | Father | | Mamie Clark Branch | Mother | --- ** Publication Details** | **Newspaper** | **Location** | **Date** | **Page** | |-----------------|----------------------|-----------------|----------| | Daily Press | Newport News, VA | 01 May 2003 | 29 | --- ** Other Relevant Information** - **Military Service**: U.S. Army, World War II veteran. - **Organizations**: Wakefield Hunt Club, V.F.W., American Legion. - **Memorial Donations**: Wakefield Baptist Church Building Fund, Wakefield, VA 23888.