Phyllis Hatchett Branan

Phyllis Hatchett Branan passed away peacefully on March 6, 2026 at a local long term care facility in Franklin, Tennessee due to complications from a fall. She was a resident of Brentwood, Tennessee and was born in Huntland, Tennessee. She lived in Franklin County, Tennessee until 1960 when she married James Daniel Branan and they moved to Nashville, Tennessee. They were married 64 years before his death in 2024.

Phyllis is survived by her daughter, Marie Anderson, Brentwood; grandsons Watson (Lauren) Anderson, Brentwood and Nolan Anderson, Madison, Al; one month old great-granddaughter Reagan Anderson, Brentwood; sister Betty Ketchum, Nashville; sister-in-law Mary Fanning, Nashville; niece and nephew Melissa Holland, Lexington, Virginia and Carey Holland, Decherd, TN; niece Betty Ann (David) Dowdy, Cordele, GA. She is preceded in death by her husband James Daniel Branan; parents Carey Blake and Mary Porter Larken Hatchett; sister Emelyn Holland; nephew Wilson Holland; and niece Mary Ellen Hancock.

Phyllis was an active member of Crievewood Baptist Church where she participated in many committees, leadership roles, and was a choir member for many years. Phyllis was a graduate of Franklin County High School (’53) and the University of Tennessee (Nashville, ’72, and Knoxville, ‘75) where she studied Secondary Education and Public Administration. She was an active member of several education-based associations related to guidance counseling and student financial aid. She served on the Metro-Nashville Beautification Commission for several years. She was also an active member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.

Phyllis enjoyed a varied career in both private and governmental occupations. She most enjoyed her work with the Department of Defense as an Education Services Specialist from which she retired in 1997. She especially enjoyed working with high schools and students encouraging them to decide on a college and career path. After retirement she also had various part-time jobs. Favorites among them were the Election Commission and the Ryman Auditorium where she enjoyed conversations with a variety of people, often from around the world.

Phyllis and Jim enjoyed traveling across America and many places in the world. For over 30 years, they especially enjoyed their annual trips to Panama City Beach, FL where they spent time with their beach family. She enjoyed a variety of crafts, was an avid walker, and she enjoyed tending to the yard and was often seen proudly keeping her neighborhood in tip-top shape.

Honorary Pallbearers: Members of the Crievewood Baptist Church Love Sunday School Class and Adult 3A Sunday School Class, Nancy Alderson, Jonathon Alderson, Theres Blum, Lillard Brown, Col. Ret. Maurice Buchanan, Ernie & Sue Carringer, Betty Ann and David Dowdy, Carolyn Dudley, Currey Dudley, Bill Graham, Ret. LTC. Wanda Graham, Joe Graves, Teresa Hatcher, Dan & Peggy Phillips, Debra Watson, Pat Webber.

Phyllis’ arrangements are as follows: March 21, 2026 at Crievewood Baptist Church, 480 Hogan Road, Nashville, TN, 37220. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. with the service following at 3:30 p.m.; at 5 pm we will gather at the Mausoleum at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 660 Thompson Ln, Nashville, TN 37204 for Phyllis’ entombment.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Crievewood Baptist Church Properties Fund; 480 Hogan Rd, Nashville TN 37220.