Margaret Anne Branning, 87 of Marianna Florida passed away peacefully at home Sunday November 26, 2023.
Born October 16, 1936, to Willie C. and Opal M. Graves in Greenville, Mississippi, where her Father was a Baptist Minister in Mississippi, as well as a fireman, who transferred to the Fire Department at Graham Air Force Base in Marianna in the early 50’s. She attended and graduated Marianna High School, and her father ministered at Alford Baptist Church, where she met her future husband, Roland W. Branning, whom she married in 1956.
Roland and Margaret subsequently had three sons, Ronald W. Branning, William David Branning, and Charles J. Branning. They raised their three children in Marianna and were members of Southside Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, and Eastside Baptist Church. Margaret was employed in various secretarial positions including Sears, Milton Realty and Insurance Co., Marianna Credit Bureau, Associates Finance and then, most memorably, Golson Elementary School, and Riverside Elementary School, from which she retired.
She was active in the community as she auditioned for and performed in many plays at Chipola Junior College, the puppet ministry at First Baptist Church, teaching Sunday School classes in both First Baptist and Eastside Baptist churches. She also went with her churches on mission trips to India and South America, as well as volunteered with her church to work in the post 9-11 service work in New York.
She had four siblings and was preceded in death by three, Willie Graves, Doris Green, of Alford, and Alan Graves.
Her survivors include two grandchildren from her son, Ron and his wife, Judy Shores Branning, Janna Fisher, and Marlana Carpenter, One granddaughter from her son, David and Wendy Branning, Sommer Hindman. She also is survived by seven great grandchildren. She is also survived by Edna Lynn Nowling, of Toney, AL. Margaret has been blessed with nine nieces and nephews through her siblings.
Visitation will be Saturday, December 2, 2023, at Eastside Baptist Church beginning at 10:00 AM, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 AM with Dr. Steve Canada and Dr. David Beigle officiating and James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel directing.
