Lillie Mae Branch Griffin

Lillie Mae Branch Griffin, 84, of Buford Dr. in Morganton went to be with her Heavenly Father on Monday, June 22, 2009 at Valdese Hospital following a short period of declining health. She was born November 23, 1924 in Burke County, NC, and was a daughter of the late Jimmy Lee Powell and Effie Epley Powell Lafevers. She was a member of Enon Baptist Church and a retired employee of the Bank of Granite.Lillie is survived by a daughter, Joyce Cook of Drexel; sons, Andy Branch and companion, Betty of Glen Alpine, and Phillip Branch, Sr. and wife, Lynn of Baton; a sister, Ann Benfield of Morganton; seven grandsons, Doug Seagle and wife Lela of Wilsonville, AL, Jeffrey Seagle and wife, Linda of Ft. Myers, FL, Phillip Branch, Jr. and wife, Elizabeth of Drexel, Brandon Thompson, Dustin Thompson, and Todd Branch, all of Morganton, and James Branch of Chester, SC; five granddaughters, Vicki Sketoe and husband, Randy of Chester, SC, Mary Ann Rhyne of Morganton, Sheila Branch of York, SC, Kathy Whisenant and Amy Epley, both of Morganton; great-grandchildren, Nelson and Kendall Rezek, Ashlyn Seagle, and Quentin Branch; 16 other great-grandchildren; one great great-granddaughter; a special friend, J. R. (A.J.) Lingafelt; a number of nieces and nephews; and Lillie’s canine companion, Scarlett.In addition to her parents, Lillie was preceded in death by her first husband, Albert "Jack" Branch, Jr.; her second husband, Alvin Griffin; a son, Joseph David Branch; a great-granddaughter, Kayla Isabella Branch; three brothers, Bud, J.B., and James Powell; and a sister, Marion Mode.The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of Carolina Rehab Center of Burke for their excellent loving care of our precious mother and grandmother, and a special thank you for the loving care given by Connie Foster of Drexel.Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, June 25, 2009 at Enon Baptist Church with Rev.

Gary Garner officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. before the service. At other times, the family will be at the residence of Joyce Cook, 421 Mountain View Dr., Drexel, NC. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in celebration of Lillie’s life, to Enon Baptist Church Bus Fund, 2059 Enon Rd., Morganton, NC 28655. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.