David Edward Branch Sr.

David was born June 3, 1946, in Thomaston, Georgia, to Benjamin Marcellus Branch and Carolyn Reid Branch. His family moved to Ringgold, Georgia, in 1954, and he graduated from Ringgold High School in 1964.

David attended Presbyterian College and Montreat-Anderson College before joining the United States Navy. He served at Naval Air Stations in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Marietta, Georgia, before entering the Naval Reserve.

David married his high school sweetheart, Sharon Simpson, on October 29, 1967. Together, they raised four children: William Scott, David Edward Jr., Stephen McLaughlin, and Lauren LeClaire.

After completing his initial active-duty service in 1971, David moved to Bishop and began farming. He expanded his operation to approximately 1,200 acres, growing soybeans, corn, wheat, oats, rye, and Bermuda grass. He also raised cattle, hogs, and sheep and operated a dairy that milked nearly 200 cows each day.

After leaving farming in 1991, David returned to active military duty during Operation Desert Storm and served for six months in Bahrain. Upon returning home, he drove a tractor-trailer over the road throughout much of the United States. He eventually joined Branch Environmental, where he continued working until his retirement in 2016.

David’s faith in God was the foundation of his life and the most important thing to him. Through his teaching and example, he led his children to know and love the Lord and taught them to be good, strong people of character. His greatest legacy is the faith he planted in his children—a faith that continues to guide their lives today.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin Marcellus Branch and Carolyn Reid Branch.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon Simpson Branch; his children, William Scott Branch (Andrea), David Edward Branch Jr. (Katie), Stephen McLaughlin Branch (Randi), and Lauren LeClaire Branch Strickland (Tony); his sister, Marcelle Mahan; and his grandchildren, Lillian (Caleb, fiance), Abigail, Benjamin, Ellavie, Vivianna, Colburne, Elijah, Bryson, Evan, Charlotte, Eliza, and Rowan.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held Thursday, September 10, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at Grace Fellowship Church, 1120 Malcom Bridge Road, Bogart.

A Celebration of David’s Life will be held Friday, September 11, at 11:00 a.m., at Grace Fellowship Church. Interment will follow in Farmington Cemetery, 2850 Old Farmington Road, Watkinsville.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.