Bertha Elizabeth Branham

Bertha Elizabeth Branham , born in 1921 died May 8th, 2014 at the age of 92.

She was a longtime resident of Gahanna Ohio, her last few years were spent in Chicago, IL. Born in Portsmouth, Ohio to Sam and Nettie Winters, the oldest of 5 children. She excelled in school graduating from Portsmouth High School and attended Hunter College in NY. In 1943 she joined the Navy as a WAVE in WW2 until 1946. She was a pioneer parent, with husband Frank, in the earliest days of the Franklin Co.Council of Retarded Children. Devoted to that endeavor from the early 1950's she retired as Transportation Supervisor for the Franklin County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities in 1987. She was very active in ARC activities, fundraising events and public education on behalf of mentally retarded children and adults. She was known for her contagious laugh, mischievous quick sense of humor, engaging smile, a twinkle in the eye and outrageous meringue pies. She loved to sew and made beautiful clothes for her girls, grandson, nieces and friends. She treasured her colleagues, friendships and family. She was in essence a free spirit who embraced and loved everything about life. She will be greatly missed and remembered with love. Preceded in death by husband Frank Branham Jr, daughter Charolette Ann, sister Mildred Eisenberg; brother Sam Winters. Survived by daughters Deborah (Tom) Gunning, Dianna (Jonathon) Branham-Rosen, grandson Walker Gunning, sisters Bernice Jones and Mary (David) Kallner; sister-in-law, Rita Winters; loving nieces and nephews, many wonderful grand nieces and nephews. Friends may call 5-8 pm Thursday, May 15, 2014 at SCHOEDINGER NORTHEAST CHAPEL, 1051 E. Johnstown Road, where funeral service will be held 1:00 pm Friday, May 16, 2014. Interment to follow at Northlawn Memory Gardens. Those who wish, contributions may be made to Special Olympics Ohio or Special Olympics of Franklin County, 3303 Winchester Pike, Columbus, OH 43232 (www.sooh.org), in her memory. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to share a memory or send a condolence to Bertha’s family.