Vera Irene Motsinger Brann

Mrs. Vera Irene Motsinger Brann, 93, passed away Friday, May 27, 2005, at Homestead Hills Assisted Living after several months of declining health. She was born Sept. 19, 1911, in Davidson County to Joseph Madison and Della Fulp Motsinger and lived all of her life in Davidson and Forsyth counties. In her early years she was employed at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. and then along with her husband, Roger, opened a neighborhood grocery store on Green Street, which they operated for many years prior to World War II. With the war dragging on, it seemed certain that Roger would be called for duty so they sold their store in preparation. The war ended, however, before Roger had to go and they soon started a heating business, of which she was a vital part. She served as matriarch of that business until the present time. She married Roger Levin Brann on Dec. 5, 1934. He preceded her in death in August 1986. Also preceding her in death were her parents; a daughter, Inez Norton; a grandson, James Calcutt Jr.; and all of her siblings, Jay Motsinger of Greenwood, S.C., Annie Wishon of Clemmons, Morris and D.C. Motsinger of Kernersville, Glenn Motsinger of Clover, S.C., and Madie Welch, Vesta and Lucy Motsinger of Winston-Salem. She is survived by a daughter, Jane Craver, and husband Gary of Wallburg; and a son, Quentin "Ike" Brann, and wife Jo of Winston-Salem; eight grandchildren, Sandy Essick, Tim Calcutt, Keith Randleman and wife April, Mark Randleman and wife Kay, Linda Vest and husband Brian, Michael Brann and wife Dawn, David Brann and wife Katie and Phillip Craver; nine great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Nancy Brann. Vera was a longtime member of Salem Baptist Church and appreciated so much the visits from her friends and the Rachel Sunday school class members in recent years as her health began to fail. She loved gardening and working in her yard as long as her health permitted. After a fall late last August and a stay in the hospital, she moved to Homestead Hills where she never gave up hope that she would soon be well enough to go back to "Green Street." A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. today, May 30, at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel, with the Rev. Floyd Boles officiating. Burial will follow in Parklawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the home of Ike and Jo Brann, 5071 Follansbee Road, Winston-Salem. Memorials may be made to Hospice or to a charity of the donor's choice. The family would like to express its sincere appreciation to the wonderful staff at Homestead Hills for the care and kindness during Mama's stay there and also to the many wonderful nurses from Hospice.