Helen Morris BRANCH

BRANCH, Helen HELEN MORRIS BRANCH 1927-2014 Helen Morris Branch, 86, former teacher and school principal in the Atlanta area, died March 26 at her residence at Canterbury Court. She was the widow of Frederick Branch, an Atlanta architect; they married in 1949. Born in Atlanta in 1927, she graduated from Girls' High School and from the University of Georgia where she was president of her Kappa Delta sorority chapter. Later, she earned a master's degree from Emory University and a Ph.D. degree from Georgia State University. Dr. Branch began her teaching career at R.L. Hope and Tuxedo Elementary Schools, and after teaching at both elementary and college levels, retired as principal of an award-winning school, Warren T. Jackson Elementary. When she completed her master's degree, she was invited to teach in and administer a teacher preparation program sponsored by the Ford Foundation at Emory University. After doctoral studies at Georgia State, she then taught at GSU for several years. She also worked in research and evaluation for Atlanta Public Schools and was co-founder and first president of the Georgia Educational Research Association. She served as the Atlanta evaluator for a national project headquartered in Washington, D.C. studying the education of inner city children. She visited among student teachers in nearly 100 schools in six metro Atlanta school systems. In addition, she was a member of visiting committees of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, part of the accreditation process for private and parochial schools. As the last step of her career, she became principal of Warren T. Jackson Elementary school, saying she wanted to "test" what she had been teaching to prospective teachers for forty years. Helen and Fred Branch were among the founders of two Atlanta Episcopal Churches, St. Anne's and St. Dunstan's. They remained active members of parish and diocesan affairs for over fifty years. Dr. Branch had lived all of her adult years in the north Buckhead area of Atlanta and was involved in many civic and professional associations: one of the founders of the Atlanta Children's Museum, member of the North Buckhead Garden Club and the North Buckhead Civic Association; a volunteer and supporter at the Atlanta History Center, the Blue Heron Nature Preserve, the Atlanta Botanical Garden, and many educational organizations. Her two favorite activities were gardening and "dancin' with Fred." Survivors include two daughters and their families: Katherine (Katie) and Everett Price, their sons Andrew and Matthew; and Sara Branch, her children Adrian, William and Bess de Keyzer. In addition, sisters: Mary Patton and Clara Martin and many nieces and nephews, most in the Atlanta area. A memorial service will be April 12 at 11:00am at St. Dunstan's Church, followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to the Garden Endowment Fund at St. Dunstan's Church, 4393 Garmon Road, NW 30327, or to the Canterbury Court Employee Scholarship Fund, 3750 Peachtree Rd, 30319, or to a favorite charity.