Shirley Kay Branch

Shirley Kay (née Stokley) Branch, a long-time resident of Smiths Station, Alabama, and most recently a resident at the Fair Haven Methodist Homes long-term care facility in Birmingham, Alabama, died peacefully on the evening of December 24, 2024.

Shirley was a loving mother, wonderful cook, and army wife who frequently volunteered for Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) events supporting veterans’ charities.

Shirley Kay (née Stokley) Branch was born in Lookout, Raleigh County, West Virginia on September 18, 1936 and was raised and lived in Stanaford, West Virginia until she married Edward Bernice Branch on November 5, 1954. They were married for fifty-nine years.

Shirley was preceded in death by her loving husband Edward Bernice Branch and an infant daughter, her parents Ida (née McKnight) Stokley and Granvil S. Stokley, her brothers Basil Leonard Stokley, Roy Lee Stokley; James Alfred Stokley and her sister Clara Lucille Stokley.

Shirley is survived by two daughters: Pamela Rae (née Branch) Borders of Birmingham, Alabama and Leslie Ann (née Branch) Mola of Virginia Beach, Virginia. She is also survived by her Son-In-Law James B. Borders Jr., Grandson James Edward Borders of Birmingham, Alabama, Granddaughter Samantha Ann “Sammi” Mola and Grandson Nicholas Gennaro “Nick” Mola of Virginia Beach, Virginia and her sister Mary Etta (née Stokley) Peacock of Elkins, West Virginia. Multiple nieces and nephews also survive Shirley.

There will be a graveside service for Shirley at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery on January 2, 2025 at 11:00 AM (Eastern Time) where she will be buried with her husband Edward following the service.