Clifton A. Branch

Clifton A. Branch, 83, of Malcolm Blvd., Connelly Springs, NC, formerly of Clark Ave., Valdese, died Tuesday, February 27, 2007, at Grace Hospital following a period of declining health. He was born in Burke Co., NC on March 12, 1923 and was a son of the late Will and Bessie Jane Watts Branch. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Bertha Lou Hicks Branch. Mr. Branch was a retired employee of Drexel-Heritage Furnishings Plant #1 and was a member of Burkemont Baptist Church.

Surviving are his sons and their wives, Ray and Shirley Hicks of Greensboro, NC and David E. and Tonnie Branch of Drexel; his daughters, Willa Dean Piercy and her husband, Johnny, Sr., of Morganton, Mary Lou Fredell and her husband, Robert, Sr., of Lincolnton, and Frances Honeycutt, of Glen Alpine; 14 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and 5 great-great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 3, 2007, at Burkemont Baptist Church with Reverends Mark Pridgen, Bill Holland, and Harold Canipe officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m. Friday at Sossoman Funeral Home where the body will remain until placed in the church 30 minutes before the funeral. Memorial contributions may be made to Burkemont Baptist Church, 4668 Burkemont Rd., Morganton, NC 28655.