Nellie Winnona Branch

Nellie Winnona “Noni” Branch October 23, 1914 - June 19, 2007 Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 22, 2007 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel with Reverend Wayne Williams officiating. Graveside services will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Grove Hill Memorial Park Cemetery, 4118 Samuel Blvd, Dallas, TX 75228. Friends and family visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, June 21, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey. Winnona was born October 23, 1914 in Wylie, TX to Mark Sterling “Buster” and Ethel Huddleston. She married her one and only sweetheart and soul mate, Haskell H. Branch, Sr. on December 24, 1931. Together they were happily married for 46 years until his death on December 7, 1977. The angels are still singing songs of joy as our Mother went to be with her Lord and Savior. She leaves behind to her family and friends a legacy of strong faith and excellent examples of true love and kindness toward her fellow man. Her words were always positive and her actions were only for what she could do for you. She unconditionally loved each one of us and always let us know that we were the most important thing in her life. A knock on her door and her greeting was “are you hungry?” Even though our Mother lived alone for many years, her first concern was for other people. Anyone who ever knew Noni will attest that she never said a harmful word about or to anyone. This prayer was found in her handwriting in her Bible: “O dear heavenly Father, be with everyone here today. Whenever I begin to feel alone, help me to remember that you are always with me. Sometimes the way seems dark, but You are still there. Thank you Lord. Amen”. Winnona was a member of First Baptist Church of Waco and was active in the Church’s Ladies” Magic Club for many years. She was preceded in death by her husband; sister, Juanita Lewis; brother, Mark Darryl Huddleston; grandson, Darryl Freeman; and her parents. Winnona is survived by her daughter, Donna Lane of Waco; daughter, Sharon Freeman and husband, Royce of Lindsay, OK; son, Haskell H. “Hack” Branch, Jr. and wife, Cathy of Waco; and sister-in-law, Dorothy Chaddick of Farmersville, TX. Her beloved grandchildren: Kimberly Klaras and husband, Evan; Kelly Montgomery; Brian Lane and wife, Sandi; Kimber Gholson and husband, Kyle; Royce Lee Freeman and wife, Lisa; Robert Freemen; Richard Freeman and wife, Kim. Also, her great-grandchildren: Kourtney Garcia, Branch and Sterling Musil, Cooper Lane, Ireland Luke, Kade Gholson, Chase, Cale, Casey, Austin, Tyler and Kenley Freeman, and Kent and Katie Klaras; and many nieces and nephews. Special thanks go to our extended family, Angie Garcia and Pearl Austin. Pallbearers will be Royce Lee Freeman, Robert Freeman, Richard Freeman, Chase Freeman, Brian Lane and Branch Musil. In lieu of flowers, you may send memorials to your favorite charity. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey