LITHONIA, GA - Francis F. Branch "Rabbit", 84, transitioned from this life to be with the Lord Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at his home in Lithonia, GA with his wife by his side after a battle with a lengthy illness.
Mr. Francis F. Branch was born in Memphis, Tennessee, February 4, 1926, to Eddie and Rosie Belle (Roosevelt) Branch. He was the fourth child of seven children. As a child, his family called him Rabbit.
Mr. Branch was an excellent student and attended school in Shelby County located in Memphis, Tennessee.
He was a United States Army veteran and was stationed in Fort Benning, GA.
He moved to Muncie, Indiana after his service duty ended where he lived for over sixty-two years until October 2006, when he moved to Oklahoma for two years prior to moving to Atlanta, GA. Mr. Branch worked for twenty-five years in Bluffton, IN at Sterling Casting Company, before retiring, prior to that he worked at Muncie Foundry & Machine Company and Franks Foundry for a combined total of over thirty years of service.
He was a member of the International Molders and Allied Workers Union. He was an avid outdoor adventurer and enjoyed working in his garden before his health failed. He fellowshipped at Greater First Deliverance Temple in Oklahoma until he moved to Atlanta, GA where he attended Bethesda Cathedral until his health failed him. Mr. Branch returns home to his beloved Christ Temple Global Ministries for his memorial services.
Mr. Branch leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife, Leona Marie; his daughters, Frances Henry, Decatur, GA, Teresa (George) Huggins, Lithonia, GA, Pamela Pratcher, Midwest City, OK, Roselyn (Jesse) Leavell, Houston, TX; his son, William (Marsha) Branch, his son from his first marriage, G-R (Pecolia) Breathette, Lithonia, GA; his sister, Florine Brewer; his brothers, Melvin Branch and Theodore Branch all of Memphis, TN; fifteen grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Eddie Branch, L.B. "Jim" Branch and Elgin Branch.
The funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at Christ Temple Global Ministries, 654 N. Jefferson, Muncie, IN.
Calling and viewing services will take place between 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. prior to the funeral service. Burial will take place at Gardens of Memory Cemetery. Officiating Bishop S. Michael Millben.