Thelma L.R. Branch

On Feb. 14, 2012, Mrs. Thelma L. Robinson Branch, 80, formerly of 5035 Arch St., Philadelphia, was summoned home.

She was the daughter of the late Tom and Lula Robinson; of this union, she was the seventh child. She accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of the Rocky Mount Baptist Church, McKenney, Va. She attended Sussex County Public Schools and after completing her education she moved to Philadelphia to make a home. In Philadelphia, she attended Beulah Baptist Church, the Rev. William Henley, pastor. She was employed for over 25 years with Good Lad. Thelma enjoyed reading and was an advocate for further education. She truly believed that a mind was a terrible thing to waste. In her spare time she enjoyed shopping and traveling, she would come home to Virginia in the summer and spend months at a time with her family. She loved calling home everyday and several times a day. She especially loved talking to her grandson, Xavier Wiggins, and her great-great-nephew, Zius Yates.

Leaving to cherish her precious memories is her devoted son, Marion Branch Jr. (Junnie) and his most devoted wife, Dorelene Branch, of Petersburg,Va.; grandaughter, Lakiesh Green of Richmond, Va.; two grandsons, Antonio and Andre Wilkins of Petersburg, Va.; one great-grandson, Xavier Wiggins of Dinwiddie, Va.; one devoted goddaughter, Patricia D. Jefferson of Richmond, Va.; three devoted godsons, Carlton, Quinton and her heart, Carmel Steed, all of Philadelphia; three sisters, Carrie Dean (Orlando) of Newport News, Va., Willie A. Wyche of McKenney, Va., Flossie Foy (Johnny) of Bronx, N.Y.; also a brother-in-law, John Rhodes of Petersburg, Va.; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins too numerous to name, among them her devoted and dedicated caretakers, her niece Selester M. Robinson, and great-niece, Stephanie Robinson-Yates of Stony Creek, Va. Family gives special thanks to Penn Medicine, Wiggahickon Hospice and Crater Community Hospice and Clay Home Medical.

Funeral services for Mrs. Branch will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, at Rocky Mount Baptist Church, McKenney, Va.; the Rev. Carlos Jordan, pastor, officiating. Interment to follow in church cemetery. Family and friends are asked to assemble at the residence of Stephanie Yates by 1 p.m. to proceed to church. There will be no viewing at church and no repass. These services have been entrusted to the Jones-Peace Funeral Service, 13013 Park Ave., Stony Creek, Va. Family may be contacted by calling 804-398-2956 or 434-246-6067.