Richard Franklin Brannam was born May 4, 1940, the second of ten children to Coye and Margaret (Basinger) Brannam. He lived 85 years, 1 month and 4 days, before laying down his wrench and socket set, the tools of his trade, to enter the glorious presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
In addition to his parents, Richard was preceded in death by a son, Bud Brannam; grandson, Mike Weaver; great grandson, Mason Weaver; two sisters, Esther Covey and Doris Robinson and one brother, Larry Brannam.
He is survived his wife, Ethel (Smith) Brannam; one daughter, Joyce Weaver and husband, Lynn; daughter-in-law, Carolyn Brannam; grandchildren, Misty Quick, Tara Brannam and Amy Taber; seven great grandsons, Brannam, Jacob, Michael and Deven Quick, Tyler Weaver and Chandler and Blake Taber; one great granddaughter, Mylah Brannam; five sisters, Joyce Rushing, Ruth Walker and husband, Archie, Brenda Birge and husband, Tom, Marilyn Burrows and husband, Rick and Martha Smith; one brother, Damon Brannam, along with a slew of nieces, nephews, and cousins and a wealth of friends.
Richard worked for Booneville schools as head mechanic, transportation director, and bus driver for over thirty years, retiring in 2001. Afterward he went on to work as a custodian for Greenwood schools and as a tech for Merle’s Bus Sales in Van Buren. Besides his regular job, he spent many hours working on vehicles for friends, neighbors, and customers to whom he had been recommended, as the man who could fix anything. Engines, transmissions, air conditioners, wiring - he could do it all.
Richard loved the Lord. He and Ethel attended Grace Church in Booneville, where they faithfully attended every service, and where he served several years as Sunday School Superintendent. He could always be counted on to go over and above when called upon.
Everyone who met Richard became his friend. His contagious smile and easy-going manner made him a hit with all who knew him. To say he will be missed is and understatement. It’s hard to imagine how the world will keep turning without him.
Funeral service will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 11 at McConnell Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood with burial at Pine Log Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Brannam, Jacob, Michael and Deven Quick, Tyler Weaver, Chandler and Blake Taber, Mylah Brannam and Bradley Crenshaw.
To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.
