Obituary of Alice Juanita Branch

Alice Branch, affectionately known as Alice Mommie, Mommy Alice, Suzy and Mother, was born October 04, 1933 to the late John and Mary Liggins. As a youth, Alice attended Glenfield School and Montclair High School, Montclair, New Jersey. Alice was married to the late James Burnell Branch and was a domestic worker for many years. Alice Mommie served in ministry at Bright Hope Baptist Church for 79+ years. She received numerous awards and citations and was honored as having the longest membership of Bright Hope. The only thing Alice Mommie loved as much as her children and family was Bright Hope Baptist Church. That love embraced ministry on a new level. She was an over-willing participant holding multiple positions, including Leader of the Youth Choir, Flower Circle, Trustee and Manager of the Youth Center. She took on each task with vigor and unrelenting commitment. Alice attended Bible study regularly and would often be found in her room reading and studying the word of God, which she shared with anyone who would listen. Alice Mommie was extremely loved by her children. She affectionately referenced her eldest son, Pat, as her husband or her father and daughter, Magary, as her mother. Alice Mommie had an extraordinary love for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She made every effort to attend family events, no matter how she felt. Her favorite foods were fried chicken, lemon meringue pie and caramel pound cake. She would denounce having any cooking skills, but the items that we all loved most were her potato salad, sweet potato mash, cabbage, jell-o mold and pistachio cake. She has indeed left an indelible mark on the hearts and lives of everyone she met and loved. When remembering the love of our Alice Mommie, hold dear her favorite scripture, Psalm 27: 1 The LORD is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?...13 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. Alice is predeceased by: her sister, Margaret Flippin; daughters, Stephanie and Jean Liggins; brothers, James and David J. Booker. Alice leaves to remember her remarkable life: children, Pat, Ann and Joan Liggins, Magary, Burnell (Rachel) and Arnell Branch; sisters, Delores Liggins and Michelle Clark; brother, Dorman Blain; grandchildren, Tamika, Tashona, Tiesha, Patrick, Jr. (Kenya), Quadia Liggins, Aaron Liggins, Sharon Whitley (Calvin), Josh (Shalika), Omar Liggins (Tamika), Jamar Liggins, Burnell C., Jr. (Sasha), Steven N. Branch and Patrick Blackmon; and honorary daughter, Tanasha Liggins, lovingly known as Nay-Nay and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and extended loved ones. "The Broken Chain" Author: Ron Tranmer We little knew the day, God was going to call your name. In life we loved you dearly, In death, we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you. You did not go alone. For part of us went with you, The day God called you home. You left us beautiful memories, Your love is still our guide And although we cannot see you You are always at our side. Our family chain is broken, And nothing seems the same, But as God calls us one by one, The chain will link again.