Emma Branch

Emma Lea Powell Branch, age 90, a resident of the Corinth Community near Ivor, died Thursday, January 25, 2007 in Franklin, VA. She was the widow of Paul Branch, her husband of 57 years until his death on July 16, 1993. Born on May 9, 1916 in Southampton County, she was the daughter of the late Samuel J. & Mary Raiford Powell. Mrs. Branch was a member of Corinth Friends Meeting for all of her adult life where she served in many capacities including Elder, Clerk of Meeting, President of Ladies Aid, and Sunday School Teacher. She also served as a member of the Southampton Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Association and the Southampton County Home Demonstration Club for many years. She was a homemaker and operated a beauty salon in her home in Ivor for several years. She was an avid bridge player and continued this hobby when she moved to The Village At Woods Edge in 1994. When her eyesight was clear and her fingers nimble, she enjoyed making quilts and made one for each child and grandchild.

She is survived by two sons, Randal B. Branch and his wife, Joy, and Royce C. Branch and wife, Barbara, all of Ivor; a daughter, Paula Lea Branch of Vicksburg, MI;. a daughter-in-law, Doris Branch of Ivor; a sister, Gladys P. Branch of Newport News; 12 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Besides her husband and parents, she was predeceased by a son, Paul Wayne Branch, two sisters, and five brothers.

Funeral services will be held at Corinth Friends Meeting, Ivor, on Sunday, January 28, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. by David Hobson and Jeff Crim. Burial will be in Ivor Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Purviance Funeral Home Chapel in Wakefield on Saturday evening, 7:00 until 8:30 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to Corinth Friends Meeting Memorial Fund, c/o Elton Raiford, 32282 Seacock Chapel Rd., Ivor, VA 23866, or to the American Cancer Society, Franklin Branch, % June Cooley, 112 Sunset Dr., Franklin, VA, 23851.

The Purviance Chapel of J. T. Morriss and Son Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Wakefield, is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be posted at our website www.jtmorriss.com