Rosemary Branch died peacefully Tuesday March 4, 2025, at Archbold Medical Center in Thomasville, Ga. She was 71.
Funeral services will be held Friday, March 7, at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Chula. The family will receive friends beforehand at 10 a.m. at the church. Pastor Matt Peek will officiate, with burial to follow at Hickory Springs Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.
Harry Hamm, William ‘Ches’ Smith V, Nate Branch, Jonathan Branch, Matthew Huckeba, Wayne Branch, Justin Womack, Boone Branch and Duke Huckeba will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Barbara Branch, LaVerne Branch, Marion Holland, Jo Ann McAlvin, Donna Sumner, Jan Branch Walker, Mickey Watson, Kathy Whittington, and Diane Womack.
Known affectionately as ‘Rosie’ by her siblings and friends and ‘RoRo’ by her beloved nieces and nephews, Rosemary was born Dec. 13, 1953, in Tifton, Ga., to O.N. “Nathaniel” and Ruth Woodall Branch.
A 1972 graduate of Tift County High School, she attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College before working as teller for C&S Bank. She retired from Synovus after more than 35 years in banking.
Rosemary resided on the family farm in Chula for most of her life and was a devoted caretaker and companion to her mother for many years. She found joy in simple pleasures: baking delicious cakes and treats that brought smiles to those around her, engaging in lively card games, and casting a line while fishing. She loved to watch sports and passionately cheered on her beloved Georgia Bulldogs on Saturdays in the Fall. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Chula.
She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, O.N. “Nathaniel” Sr. and Ruth Woodall Branch, and her dear sister, Susan Branch.
Ms. Branch is survived by her loving siblings and their spouses: Delia and Dr. Harry Hamm of Valdosta, Judi Branch of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, and Opus Nathaniel “Nathan” Jr. and Karen Branch of Thomasville. She will be dearly missed by her nieces and nephews: Ernie Bishop of Ty Ty, Ga., Natalie Bishop of Valdosta, Ga., Ches and Kim Smith of Bogart, Ga., Betsy and Ed Hoover of Mexico, Mo., Nate and Jessica Branch of Moultrie, Ga., Blair and Matthew Huckeba of Brookhaven, Ga., and Jonathan and Rachel Branch of Chamblee, Ga., along with numerous great-nieces and nephews whom she adored.