Gilda Mayes Branch

Her father, Charles Mayes was a decorated war hero and survivor of the Bataan death march in 1942. Her biological mother was a daughter of Abraham and she was raised by her loving mother Wilma Mayes and she followed in her mother’s loving footsteps all her life.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 22, 2025, in the chapel of McLaurin Funeral Home in Clayton, North Carolina, with Pastor Whitaker of Brookston Baptist Church officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church Cemetery in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM prior to the service.

Gilda was the longtime co-owner and operator of a Family Fare convenience store. She cherished time with her husband and family and celebrated life fully. She never failed to bring out the best in others, believing deeply in the goodness of all people.

She is survived by her husband of 19 years, Jerry Branch; children and descendants, Carie “Carebear” Anderson, Kyara Leigh Anderson, Jordin Blue, Khloe Russell, and Braylen Anderson; her brother, Charles Mayes; and her former husband, George “Andy” Anderson.

Online condolences may be made to the family at: www.mclaurinatpinecrest.com.

In addition to flowers, the family requests memorials to be made in Gilda’s memory to: of Brookston Baptist Church, 242 Baptist Church Road in Henderson, North Carolina.

McLaurin Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the Branch family.