Ada Andrews Branch

It is said a church would seem to glow when she touched the pedals and keys of a pipe organ. On Saturday Ada Andrews Branch, 92, popular church organist and piano teacher, passed away after a sudden illness. Born July 18, 1924, in Petersburg to Frederick Osborne Andrews and Emily Elmore Andrews, Ada began her love of music at five when relatives heard her playing a song on her grandmother’s piano. After graduating from Petersburg High School she auditioned for and was accepted by the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. After completing her studies she launched a piano school above Andrews Bakery on Sycamore Street, led choirs, and celebrated worship playing the organ at churches throughout Central Virginia. She was an active member of the American Guild of Organists’ Richmond chapter. Independent and industrious, she also worked at Fort Lee before finding employment with the City of Petersburg Tax Assessor’s Office where she worked most of her career. One of the happiest days of her life was the day she married C. Roane Branch, who also worked for the city. After his death she often volunteered at various nursing homes in the region. She loved to help people. Ms. Branch is survived by her sister, Edith Andrews Talbott, her niece, Claudia Talbott Greene of Virginia Beach, her nephews Herbert Talbott and Frederick Talbott of Chesterfield County, and their children and grandchildren. A private family graveside service is planned. When recently asked what organ was her favorite she smiled and replied “All of them. They were all different, and they were all wonderful.” In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be donated to American Guild of Organists, Richmond Chapter, P.O. Box 8644 Richmond, VA 23226. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .