Bessie Mae Branch

Bessie Mae Branch, age 87 of Angleton, Texas, went home to be with Jesus, her Lord and Savior on January 23, 2022. Bessie was born on April 10, 1934, in Temple, Louisiana, to Thomas Alva and Martha Lee Martin. She graduated from Boyce High School in 1952 just west of Alexandria, Louisiana. She married her high school sweetheart, John D. Branch, in the home of her sister and husband (Lila and Louis Daenen, Jr.) on July 10,1954 in Alexandria, Louisiana. Bessie and John D were married for 61 years before the Lord called him home in 2015. After John D finished his tour of duty in the Air Force in Mobile, Alabama in 1955, they made Angleton their home when John D went to work for Dow Chemical. Bessie was a member of First Baptist Church of Lake Jackson, Texas until 1985, when she and John D joined Northway Baptist Church, in Angleton, Texas. Bessie played the piano and loved music. She was such a prayer warrior and spent her mornings reading God's word. Bessie stood by John D's side in his band "Johnny B and the Good Guys" for more than 40 years. Together they gave a piece of their heart and love for music by singing country music and praising the Good Lord through their gospel music for churches, nursing homes, and organizations throughout the area. The friendships they made over those years stood the test of time. Their home was a retreat of good entertainment for so many. Bessie also shared a love for golf with John D. And they spent innumerable days traveling the countryside after his retirement. During the evenings, she and her sister Jean spent time walking down the streets near her home. Bessie made delicious meals, but her fried pork chops, rice, and sweet potatoes will forever be a favorite for her son, Bruce. Her daughter, Jennifer, was Bessie's refuge and strength the last couple of years of her life. Bessie's prayer for her family has always been "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth" (3 John 1:4 ESV). Bessie is preceded in death by her husband, John D. Branch; her son, John D. Branch, Jr.; her parents, Thomas ‘Alva' and Martha Lee Martin; her sister, Alvie Jean Knight; sister-in-law, Carroll Moore; and her brother-in-law's, Louis Daenen, Jr., Albert DeWitt Knight, Randolph Moore, and Frank Watkins. Bessie is survived by her children, Bruce Lynn Branch (Pella) and Jennifer Lee Herbst, both of Angleton, Texas. Sister: Lila Martin Daenen of Alexandria, LA. Sister-In-Law: Faye Branch Watkins of Boyce, LA. Grandchildren: Timothy Branch (Gabbi) of Richwood, Texas; Kalynn Roderick (Tyson) and Colin Branch of Lake Jackson, Texas; Thomas Branch of Danbury, Texas; Christina Thompson (Ryan) of San Antonio, Texas; Alexandra Free (Sam) of Alvin, Texas; Mark Herbst and Victoria Herbst both of Angleton, Texas. Great-grandchildren: Madilynn Branch, Margo Branch, Weston Roderick, and Jaxton Roderick. And numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Timothy Branch, Colin Branch, Thomas Branch, Mark Herbst, Carl Herbst, and Jamie Knight. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, January 27, 2022, at Northway Baptist Church in Angleton, Texas. Visitation will be prior to the service from 12 noon until 1:00 pm. Interment will be held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Pineville, Louisiana on Friday, January 28, 2022, at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Northway Baptist Church in memory of Bessie Branch. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Kim Stout and the staff at Silver Linings for the tender care they have provided to Bessie over this past year. Service Details. Visitation When Thursday, January 27th, 2022 12:00pm - 1:00pm Text Directions Send directions to the event directly to your phone Phone Number: Send Email Directions Get directions to the event directly to your inbox Email Address: Send Email Service When Thursday, January 27th, 2022 1:00pm Officiant Aaron Pardue Text Directions Send directions to the event directly to your phone Phone Number: Send Email Directions Get directions to the event directly to your inbox Email Address: Send Email Interment Location Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery Address 4000 Monroe Highway BALL, LA 71405 Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book. View Tribute Book