John Andrew "Drew" Branson

John Andrew “Drew” Branson, age 41, of Mount Airy, GA, peacefully entered into eternity with Jesus, healed and whole, in the early morning hours of Monday, January 26, 2026, following his year-long courageous battle with cancer.

Drew was born in Gainesville, GA on September 7, 1984. He was an avid outdoorsman and had a great love for hiking, backpacking, camping, hunting, fishing and had a deep appreciation for nature and exploration. He had a true passion for music and believed it communicated something clearly that words could not convey. All of Drew’s life, he was an exceptional athlete and loved playing soccer, golf, basketball, softball, football and the swim team. He naturally excelled at anything he put his hand and heart to.

Drew spent the last year building his own business, Branson Construction Inc., and took pride in the mastery with which he worked. He served many in his community with the love he poured into his craft. He was devoted to the love of his life, Hali, and their children. He enjoyed working on their home, landscaping their yard, tending to his chickens, spontaneously taking them on some kind of adventure, or taking them hunting. He believed in teaching life and survival skills and valued imparting his knowledge and experience to others, using it diligently to help his neighbors, serve his community, and lead his family.

Drew’s encouraging smile was contagious, and his presence was invigorating with his witty humor. His big personality lit up any and every atmosphere, and the void he leaves is now equally as vast.

Drew was preceded in death by his little brother, Rhett Walker Branson; maternal grandfather, John Truman Page; paternal grandparents, Retired Major William Branson & Mary Jean Branson; paternal aunt, Julia Darnell; and paternal uncle, Bill Branson.

Survivors include his wife, Hali Branson of Mount Airy; children, Karagan and Elijah Branson of Alto; stepdaughters, Kenli, Kayli, Kori and Karalai Jarrard of Mount Airy; mother, Debra Page Branson of Clarkesville; father and stepmother, William “Dell” and Dee Branson of Demorest; sister and brother-in-law, Courtney and SFC (Ret.) Jason A. Cheek, and their son, Nashton Andrew Cheek, named after his Dad and his beloved “Uncle Bub”, of Canton; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Mike and Sandra Free of Clarkesville; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jennifer and Caleb Tyler, and their children, Dane and Glori Tyler of Clarkesville; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Chris and Sara Bennett and their daughter, Drew’s namesake, Andrea Bailee Bennett of Clarkesville; maternal grandmother, Martha Courtney Page of Aiken, SC; aunts and uncles, John & Cynthia Branson, Al & Kathy Branson, Leslie Branson, Pamela Kulp, Donna and Gorman Ridgley, many beloved cousins and a multitude of friends.

Celebration of Life services will be held at 6 pm on Monday, February 2, 2026, at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Clarkesville, with Pastor Jonah Norman officiating.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 & 6-8 pm on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the funeral home.

Please visit www.mcgaheegriffinandmcentire.com to stay informed in the event of inclement weather. If necessary, services will be rescheduled, as follows:

Celebration of Life services will be held at 3 pm on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Clarkesville, with Pastor Jonah Norman officiating.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 & 6-8 pm on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the funeral home.

An online guest registry is available for the Branson family at www.mcgaheegriffinandmcentire.com

McGahee-Griffin & McEntire Funeral Home of Cornelia, Georgia (706-778-8668) is in charge of arrangements.