Edwin J. Branam, 97, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Friday, September 1, 2017, at the Fellowship Home at Cordelia Manor in Cordele, Georgia.
Funeral services will be held 3 PM, Sunday, September 3, 2017, at Arbor Baptist Church, with the Rev. Dr. Lloyd Stembridge and the Rev. Bobby Richey officiating. Eulogies will be given by Linda Branam Wallace and Gary Branam. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the sanctuary on Sunday.
Mr. Branam was born June 20, 1920, in Ben Hill County, Georgia, to the late Robert L. (Bob) & Precious Elizabeth Newsome Branam. He grew up in a family of six brothers and three sisters. Mr. Branam was reared on a large farm in north Irwin County, just five miles west of Arbor Church. Mr. Branam served his country honorably in the United States Army and was awarded a Purple Heart during World War II while serving in New Guinea in the Pacific theater. Since his education at Mystic High School was interrupted by the war, he decided to further his education by enrolling in college courses at ABAC, where he completed a program of study in Agriculture. Mr. Branam farmed for several years, later changing his vocation and working at Robins Air Force Base in the Gyro Lab. He couldn’t adjust to working inside all day so he returned to farming.
Mr. Branam joined Abba Baptist Church in 1952 and served the church faithfully. He served as Sunday School Secretary, taught the Young People’s Sunday School Class and was ordained as a Deacon. He also taught the Men’s Sunday School Class, served for 11 years as church chorister, two years as Training Union Director and as chairman of the Deacons several years. Mr. Branam served on the Ben Hill-Irwin Baptist Association Committee and filled the pulpit on several occasions in the absence of the pastor. In 1995, he and his wife, Wilmoteen moved their letters to Arbor Baptist Church and served in different areas such as Sunday School Teacher and a member of the Church and Ground committees. He was named a Deacon Emeritus at Arbor. Due to his age and health, he continued to support his church financially and with prayers. He was also a member of the VFW and the American Legion Post 99.
He is survived by daughter, Annette Gibbs of Cordele and a son, Quinton Branam of Albany; eight grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Marion Wilmoteen McDonald Branam; a daughter, Bonnie Sproul; three sisters: Lizzie Mae, Beulah, and Delia; and six brothers: John Robert, Columbus, Thurman, D.C., Bud, and Paul.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to the building fund of Arbor Baptist Church, 1137 N Merrimac Drive Ext., Fitzgerald, GA 31750.