Robert Harrell Branch
Robert (Bob) Harrell Branch went to be with his Lord on Saturday, January 18, 2025. Bob was born in Winterville, NC on September 16, 1931.
He attended Winterville High School until at 18 years old he quit and joined the Army for 3 years serving in Korea during the war. On return home, he worked at Wilkerson Funeral Home in Greenville, NC and received Christ while working there. Bob attended East Carolina University earning BS and Masters degrees. He taught school and served as a school administrator for 24 years in Chesapeake Public Schools in Chesapeake, Virginia.
In 1983, Bob and his wife, Carolyn, felt God’s call to serve as missionaries with a national ministry in Liberia, West Africa. When the civil war started in Liberia, they transferred to serve with African Bible College in Malawi in East Central Africa. They served at ENI Mission in Liberia for 7 years, transferred to Yekepa, Liberia to serve with African Bible College. Bob retired from Mission service in 1998 after 14 years serving the Lord in Africa.
Bob was a member of Heritage Baptist Church for 27 years serving on the Deacon Board for 3 terms and doing many small jobs. He worked extensively with the Gideons and enjoyed distributing New Testaments. He also enjoyed volunteering with World Help working in the warehouse.
Bob is survived by his wife of 68 years, Carolyn Moore Branch; a son, Robert H. Branch, Jr (Marianne Buttles Branch) of Las Vegas, NV; and 3 grandchildren, Nathan, Hannah, and Bethany; and a sister, Nancy Branch Smith. Bob was predeceased by his parents, Jesse and Mary Louise Pittman Branch; 2 sisters, Roselyn Branch and Jane Branch Beddard; and 4 brothers, Jesse Branch, Jr, Franklin Branch, Jerold Branch, and Michael Branch.
There will be a family and friends visitation at 12:30 pm and the memorial service will be held at Heritage Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Gideons International, P.O. Box 4723, Lynchburg, VA 24502 or Heritage Baptist Church, 219 Breezewood Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24502.