R. W. "Junior" Branch

R. W. "Junior" Branch, 85, of Coventry Drive, Morganton, NC went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at the Burke Palliative Care Center in Valdese, NC following a period of declining health. Born in Mitchell Co., NC on August 28, 1924, he was the son of the late Rom Walter Branch, Sr. and Maude Ellen Harrison Branch. Junior was a member of the First Baptist Church of Glen Alpine, a U.S. Army veteran of the WWII, and retired from England Ferguson Plumbing.Junior is survived by daughters, Linda Kay Punch and husband, Rodney, of Morganton and Rebecca Jane Fox of Sunset Beach, NC; grandchildren, Ryan and Jamie Fox, Marsha Childress, and Laura Broach; and four great-grandchildren.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Jo Wyatt Branch; brothers, Rastus, Charles, Lawson, and Jessie Branch; and sisters, Bertha Branch and Molly Morris.The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 3, 2009 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Rev. John Whisnant, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in Glen Alpine Cemetery with military honors provided by Valdese American Legion Post #234. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6:30 until 7:30 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home. At other times the family will be at the home of Linda and Rodney Punch. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690.