Obituary of Delma Davenport Branch

Delma Evon Davenport Branch was born on October 31, 1945 in Cumberland County, Virginia. Delma made her transition from an earthly dwelling to her heavenly home on Monday, July 17, 2017 at St. Francis Hospital in Midlothian, Virginia. She was educated in Cumberland County, graduating from Luther P. Jackson High School in 1964. She accepted Christ at an early age and joined Mt. Olive Baptist Church. While there, she served in several auxiliaries of the church including financial secretary and usher board. She was always willing to serve and use her talents in any capacity in which she felt she could make a difference. In 1976, Delma was joined in holy matrimony to Nathan Branch, Jr. She became an instant mother to four children. In August 2017, they would have celebrated 41 years of marriage. She began her professional career as an information operator for Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Company in Washington, D.C. Later, she worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Upon returning to Virginia, she was employed by the Virginia State Police Department, where she remained until her retirement in 2001. After retiring from the State Police Department, she accepted a part-time position with the Cumberland County Public School system. Delma was also a dedicated volunteer for the food bank and Cumberland County Rescue squad for 17 years. In her spare time, she enjoyed spending time with family and friends, shopping, gardening, landscaping, and caring for her four-legged children, Denver and Lincoln. For anyone who knew Delma, her most famous line was, "Tell me your business." Delma was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel and Mabel Davenport and her sister, June Cook. She leaves to cherish her memory a loving and devoted husband, Nathan Branch, Jr.; children, Cassandra Baker (Joe) of Cumberland, Dale Branch, Faye Smith (Paul), and Diane Shackelford (James) of Chesterfield; a devoted sister, Barbara Davenport of Cumberland; two brothers, Samuel Benson Davenport (Nancy) of Hampton and Royal Oscar Davenport (Gayle) of Ft. Washington, Maryland; mother-in-law, Queen Estelle Branch of Cumberland; brothers-in-law, Webster Branch (Renee) of Charles City, Ellis Branch (Katherine) of Columbia, and John Branch of Cumberland; one sister-in-law Freda Langhorne (Thomas) of Cumberland; eight grandchildren, Craig (Tarisha), Aloysha (George), Dion, Candice (Antonio), Brittany, Avis, Evan, and Jordan; seven great-grandchildren; a devoted friend, Elsie Hatcher; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.