Martha Lee Branch Obituary

Martha Jones-Branch was born on July 4, 1937 to Otha Jones and Lillie Green-Jones in Burkesville, Virginia. She was the second of seven children. She grew up and was educated in Nottoway Country School System. As a young woman Martha married her childhood sweetheart, Robert L. Branch, Sr. From the union five children were born, Lillie, Robert, Jr., Sandra, Reginald and Eric.

In 1958, she and her late husband (Robert) relocated the family to New York City. There she continued her education and received her Bachelor Degree in Education from Marymont College, two Master's Degrees in Special Education and Sociology, with an additional 40 credits. For over 30 years, she was dedicated and praised often by her peers for her innovative teaching skills in the New York City Public School system.

It wasn't just her teaching that made her special, it was how she lived her life each day. If you were so honored to have known her, you would have loved her. Known to her family as "Peacemaker" in the family with a personality that everyone gravitated to her. To those who came to know Martha Branch as a friend or shareholder, describe her as a generous, charitable and neighborly person, willing to help in need situations and to extend kind guestures to others simply because she felt it was the right thing to do.

Those qualities were and still are attested to by none other than family, former students and colleagues, and especially her closest friends who knew her well. Martha was the definition of what it means to be a Christian. At an early age she began building her faith at Yielding Baptist Church founded by her Grandfather Rev. Clifford Vaughn.

As an adult, in New York City, she worshipped at Mount Olivet Baptist Church where all her children were baptized. Later to worship faithfully, became a Trustee, sung on the choir and served on the Prison Ministry during her 40 years at Upper Madison United Methodist Church. A few years back her church merged with Methodist Community United Methodist, both in Harlem, NY, there she continued her faith, loving God and her church family.

For relaxation, Martha enjoyed spending time with her family, attending Broadway plays, reading, crossword/word find puzzles and watching her favorite TV show, "Shark Tank" and other game shows. Martha loved to travel and travel she did with her all women's club, the "LeEbonique Fems". After a long illness, on March 22, 2018, God decided that it was time for Martha to come home.

She leaves to cherish many wonderful memories: her daughter, Lillie Branch-Kennedy and her husband, Ricardo of VA; sons, Reginald Branch and Eric Branch of NY; sisters, Mary Hubbard and Carolyn Garnes (Sam Garnes) both of NJ; brother, Lowell T. Jones (Karen) of VA; grandchildren, Elruby, Robert, Donald, Diamond, Amanda, Tyrone, James, Tylisha, and Tahirih; aunt, Ruth Terry; eleven grandchilden; nine great-grandchildren; three godchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many, many many friends.