Joy Diane Branch, age 70, was born on May 22, 1950 in Richmond, Virginia and gained her angel wings on July 28, 2020 at Jackson Hospital in Marianna, Florida. Joy met the love of her life Cecil Branch and they were married in 1969. She was a hardworking farmers wife where the youngins would beg to work for Cecil just for the home cooked meals she would prepare daily. She decided to go to nursing school at Chipola Jr. College in 1989 with her daughter Robin. There Joy completed the LPN Program and began a long rewarding career spanning the length of 25 five years until retirement from Florida State Hospital in Chattahoochee. Joy’s family was the light of her life. She lived for trips to the beach and to the mountains with family. Joy loved to cook — she especially enjoyed cooking Sunday dinner after church for her family. She was a woman of faith and was a lifelong member of Shady Grove Methodist Church. Joy’s children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were the pride and joy of her life. The legacy of Joy’s kind spirit, passion for mountain trips, love of reading and zest for life will live on through them. She was an inspiration to all who knew her, and she will be greatly missed.
Joy leaves behind her devoted husband of 51 years, Cecil Branch; one son, Adam Branch and his wife Sandra; two daughters, Paula Branch and Robin Floyd and her husband Jeremy; one brother, Marty Millard and his wife Cindy; two sisters, Dorinda Maloy and her husband Tim and Annette Stephens and her husband Charles; 17 grandchildren, Madison Branch, Megan Branch, Stetson Branch, Dustin Branch, Jordan Pyke, Cara Pyke, Cody Pyke, Cameron McClendon, Savannah McCroan, Courtney Rudd, Joshua Phillmon, Trevor Phillmon, Emily Floyd, Kimber Floyd, DJ Jacobs, Ben Jacobs, and Daniel Jacobs; 13 great grandchildren, Landon Cole Pyke, Brady Pyke, Bella Phillmon, Trinity Phillmon, Gracelyn Phillmon, little Paul Phillmon, Liam Merrifield, Lawson Merrifield, Ridge Jacobs, Reed Jacobs, Oren Jacobs, Kyendall Jacobs, Landon Cooper Enfinger and two on the way; a brother in law Harold Branch and his wife Judy a sister in law Charlotte Branch; as well as a multitude of “yard youngins” named affectionately that way by Ms. Joy.
Joy was preceded in death by her parents; Gene and Maxine Millard and Elizabeth Millard; father and mother in law, Lamar and Avie Branch; two brothers in law, Carl and Ethan Branch; two sisters in law Janice and Rita Branch; a granddaughter, Ashley Branch and a daughter Kelley Phillmon.
Flowers are welcomed or if you wish, send a donation in Joy’s memory to her favorite charity St. Jude Children’s hospital.
Celebration of Life Services will be held at McAlpin Funeral Home on Friday, July 31, 2020 beginning at 11:00 AM Central Time. Interment will follow at Shady Grove Cemetery. Visitation for friends and family will be held on Thursday, July 30, 2020 from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM Central Time also at McAlpin Funeral Home.
