Patricia Ann Branch, 85, of Reading, Pennsylvania went home to her Lord and Savior peacefully, on Monday, June 6, 2022. Patricia was predeceased by her husband, Barbara “Bob” C. Branch. She was born in Fort Lawn, S.C., on March 28, 1937 a daughter of the late Aaron A. Sr., and Francina (Hicklin) Martin.
Patricia was an Empire Beauty School graduate and employed by Wilson Safety Products. She was a member of NAACP, was a lifelong member of Mary Alice Temple #108, and beautifully crowned Queen of The Elks in 1975.
Patricia had a warm and loving spirit. She was known as a “people person” who received joy out of helping others and she spent her life in service to her family, friends, and community. She wore her beautiful smile everywhere she went and with her quiet, yet powerful presence, she was in a league of her own. Her legacy is anchored in her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, leaving behind the importance of loving one another, being kind to all people, showing care for those in need, and as she would say, “don’t take no mess” and “never let people treat you poorly”. She has unyielding earned her place with the Lord.
Patricia was blessed with a large and loving family and had the honor of being actively involved in all of their lives. The closeness she shared with her nieces, nephews, and cousins was the definition of family. No one was left out, all were welcome, and if you were lucky enough to knock on the door when she was taking out her homemade biscuits from the oven, you were certainly in for a treat. With so much love to give and receive, it should come as no surprise that Pat and her sisters are known as the original Golden Girls and distance had no impact on the connection with her brothers. They were her protectors and despite a 500-mile journey they would take a trip to her front door as if it was a 5-minute walk. Their love and bond are simply unmatched.
She leaves to cherish in her memory her children; Kathy (Davis) Branch, of Shawnee, Okla., Anita Branch, Joana Loeb and her husband Christopher, of Reading, siblings; Ruby L. Martin, Glarneice Green, Hattie Stewart, Gwendolyn Cousar (Charlie), Leon Martin, Tyrone Martin, Carlton Martin, 5 grandchildren; William Davis, Jr., Andre T. Davis (Melissa), Travis L. Branch (Jessica), Kheara S. Kepley, Avery L. Putt, 10 great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and close family friends. Patricia will be met in heaven by her children; Cindy A. Branch, Ernest E. Branch, Charles C. Branch and her 2 brothers; Aaron Martin Jr. and Milfort Martin. She will also be met in heaven by her late companion of over 20 years, Dr. Sumner Jurist.
Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, June 17, 2022 at 11:00 AM in Theo C Auman Funeral Home, 247 Penn St., Reading Pa., 19601. Burial to follow in Berks County Memorial Gardens. A viewing will be Friday 8-11am in the funeral home. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.TheoCAuman.com for the Branch family.
