November 30, 1964 – March 11, 2025
Melanie, 60 was born in Reading, PA. to mother, Judith (Willis) Edwards of Reading and Charles
Booker of Birdsboro on November 30, 1964. Her maternal grandmother, Lucille Spencer helped
raise her, hence “Lucille” as her middle name. She graduated from Reading High School in 1982.
Shortly after, she enrolled in a residential Job Corps program in Maryland.
One of her first positions was part of the clerical staff for the Berks County Equal Opportunities
Council. In between, she had various jobs but her latest one was with the Berks Encore Senior
Center. Some people like their jobs but Melanie absolutely loved her job, the people she worked
with and the members of the Center. She found new interests and hidden talents from her
work there. After participating in a flower arrangement workshop, she created a beautiful
arrangement and was hooked. She started creating wreaths and ventured into other crafts.
Always, ,working on something she started at the Center or picked up from YouTube DIY
projects. She discovered her artistic talent.
Melanie was a social butterfly and loved being around people and people generally gravitated
towards her. When her children were younger, she enjoyed planning their birthday events,
taking them to events and amusement parks. Sometimes it seemed like she enjoyed the
experiences more then them. She was a kid at heart.
She is preceded in death by her mother, father and stepfather, David Edwards of Reading PA as
well as her material and paternal grandparents.
She is survived by her loving children, Spencer Branford of Reading, Melanie Lacey Branford of
New Haven, CT and Andrew Branford-Hopkins of Philadelphia PA. She also is survived by sisters:
Rhonda Branford of Reading, PA Lisa Branford of Reading, PA, Lydia Mayo of Reading, PA,
Victoria Jackson of DC, Traci Cotton of Pottstown, PA, Anita Branch of Reading PA, and brothers:
Justin Wilson of Cleveland, OH, Eric Wilson of Sarasota FL and Charles Booker, Jr. of Florida.
numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as her loving aunt Sandra Branford and uncle,
Thomas Branford.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation for all the messages, love and
support provided. We also want to thank everyone who knew and loved her for being part of
her life experiences.
A Celebration of Life Service for Melanie will be Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Theo C Auman, 247 Penn Street, Reading, PA 19601. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.theocauman.com for the Branford Family.
