Obituary of Queen Estelle Branch

Queen Estelle Burrell Branch, daughter of John and Mattie Burrell, was born on July 11, 1915 in Nottoway, Virginia. She was reared by her grandparents, Bose and Lucy Davis, along with her cousin Gracie Green. Queen was known by her family and friends as "Cousin Kitty." In 1936, Queen was joined in wedlock to Nathan Branch, Sr. in Nottoway, Virginia. To this union, nine children were born. While living in New Canton, she joined the Petersville Baptist Church where she served on the Senior Usher Board. Upon moving to Cumberland, she joined the Mount Olive Baptist Church and served as an usher and sang in the choir. In 2007, Queen became an honorary member and considered a church mother. Once Nathan's health started to fail, she became his personal caregiver until God gave him his wings in 1972. Queen then became a night cook at the Cumberland Restaurant. She left the restaurant to drive the bus for Cumberland County School system for several years. In addition to driving the bus, she also joined the Cumberland Rescue squad as a driver and E.M.T. Queen loved to laugh and tell jokes, but most of all to share wisdom and talk about the power of God. She reared her family to walk in God's light and to have morals and goals. She was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother. Queen was preceded in death by her husband, Nathan Branch, Sr.; three of her sons, George, Walter, and Charlie; one of her daughters, Mary; two of her grandsons, Jerome and Alton; and three of her daughters-in-law, Ella, Delma, and Laura. She leaves to cherish her memory four sons, Nathan Jr., Ellis (Katherine), Webster (Renee), and John; one daughter, Freda (Thomas); one daughter-in-law, Irene; 32 grandchildren and a host great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; along with host of friends including three devoted, Lou Bertha Carter, Helen Trent, and DeArta Bland.