Obituary of Mary Helen Branch

Mary Helen Branch, daughter of the late Nathan Branch Sr. and Queen Estelle Burrell Branch was born on August 25, 1939 in Cumberland, VA. Mary professed Christ at an early age and joined Mount Olive Baptist Church where she was a faithful member. She later moved to Dillwyn VA and joined Second Liberty Baptist Church where she became an active member until her children moved her to Chesterfield, VA when her health began to decline in 2011. She loved the Lord and needed to be connected with a church, so in 2013 she became a member of First Baptist Church of South Richmond where she attended until her death. Jesus Christ was the center of her life and no matter how she felt she never wanted to miss church. She was educated in Cumberland County, graduating from Luther P. Jackson High School in 1957. She had a real love for children and people and became a Dietary Supervisor and Aide for Bright Hope Day Care Center. There she could always let her "Little Light Shine" while working with children and senior citizens. After many years working at Bright Hope, she continued her passion of helping people by working at The Goochland Women's Correctional Center and the Dillwyn Correctional Center as a Dietary Supervisor until she retired in 1999. Mary made the transition from an earthly dwelling to her heavenly home on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at her residence in Chesterfield, VA. She was preceded in death by her father Nathan Branch Sr. and three brothers, George, Charlie and Walter Branch. She leaves to cherish her memories: her mother Queen Estelle Burrell Branch of Cumberland, VA; six loving and devoted children: four daughters, Irene and Naomi Wade of Chesterfield, VA; Gwendolyn Alston (Skip) of Greensboro, NC; Arlene Wade-Oliver (Fred) of Farmville, VA; two sons, Robert (Sonya) of Chesterfield, VA and Gregory Wade of Hampton, VA. Ten grandchildren, Tyrone Wade and Paige Oliver who were devoted and provided daily love and care; Shonte', Kory, Kristen, Melvin, Kristopher, Jar'rod, Aeisha and Kiev Wade and a host of step-grandchildren and great grandchildren, all of whom she cherished deeply; four brothers: Nathan Branch Jr., (Delma), Webster Branch (Renee), Ellis Branch (Katherine), John Branch (Angela), and one sister Freda Langhorne (Thomas); a loving and devoted friend, Charlie Northington whom she considered her son, Cathy Wade whom she cherished and considered her fifth daughter, Lisa Quivers her caregiver and friend who gave so much love and attention to her for the last two years; several nieces and nephews, all of whom she shared a "SPECIAL LOVE" for, and a host of other relatives and friends. She also had a special companion "Little Man", her Chihuahua who preceded her in death on August 23, 2013.