Obituary of Laura Branch

Laura Susan Baker was born to the late Milton and Loyce Baker on March 28, 1945 in Buckingham, Virginia. Laura, fondly known as "Sue", confessed Christ at an early age and joined Zion Baptist Church in Dillwyn, Virginia. After graduating from Luther P. Jackson High School in 1963, Sue attended beauty school where she became a licensed cosmetologist and opened her own beauty salon in Cumberland, Virginia. On November 29, 1964, she married the late George W. Branch, and moved her church membership to Mount Olive Baptist Church in Cumberland, Virginia, where she faithfully served on the usher board and food committee. In 1969, George and Sue relocated to Washington , D.C. where she was employed with AAA, Liberty Mutual Insurance, and Capital Hospital. In 1973, they returned to Cumberland, Virginia where she continued her profession as a hair stylist for many years. She was also employed with the Cumberland County Extention Office for several years. After giving birth to her third child, Sue attended and graduated from Southside Virginia Community College in Keysvile, Virginia earning an Associate's Degree in Computer Science. She then became employed with Bon Air Learning Center where she worked as a secretary, transportation officer, and then a Correctional Officer until her retirement in 2000. Sue had a unique love for people, especially the youth. In 2001 , she became a substitute teacher for Cumberland County Schools. She built many healthy relationships with the staff and the students who she referred to as her "babies". She will be remembered for being very talkative, her outstanding marriage of 48 years, fishing, watching wrestling and Law and Order, playing the computerized slot games on her computer, and baking her famous coconut pie. Her compassion was helping others and she often said, "We are put on this earth to help each other" and "No matter what other people do, you do right." After her husband's passing in 2013, Sue followed her children and became a Watch Care member of Petersville Baptist Church and served on the food committee and just recently joined the Greater Rubies Women's Ministry. She had a true admiration for Pastor and First Lady Bolden and the Voices of Judah. On Friday, November 25, 2016 she departed this life at her residence in Cumberland. She leaves to cherish her children, Clentis Branch (Anita) of Chester, Virginia, Renarta McFarland (Shannin) of Cumberland, Virginia, and Sasha Royall (Jerry) of Midlothian, Virginia; grandchildren, Shavonda, Tierra, Montaz, Anthony, Marneice, Setear, Dashawn, Jazmin, Shaliyah, Jay'von, Kaisen,and Clentis, Jr; seven great-grandchildren; sister, Wilma Herndon (Charles); mother-in-law, Queen Estelle Branch; brothers-in-law, Samuel Harvison (Michelle), Nathan Branch, Jr (Delma), Webster Branch (Renee), Ellis Branch (Katherine), and John Branch; sister-in-law, Freda Branch-Langhorne (Thomas); aunts, Bertha Baker and Eula Baker.; and a great host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.