Roy A. Branner

Roy A. Branner, age 98, of Dandridge, TN passed away at 1;15 a.m. Thursday afternoon, Feb. 20, 2003 at the Life Care Center of Jefferson City. He was born April 16, 1904, the last born of the four daughters and five sons of Lincoln and Ida Branner. He was married to Mrs. Mary Branner for 74 years and that union produced twelve children. He survived the death of his wife, two sons and four daughters. Mr. Roy A. Branner was a life long member of the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Dandridge, TN. He chose farming as a means of providing for his family. A devoted family man, he provided a home for three grandchildren in addition to the twelve he fathered. One grandson, ronnie Alfred Thomas, was especially clost to his grandfather and provided him much comfort and companionship during his waning years. He is survived by four daughters, Curly Ray of Dandridge, Beulah Brooks of Morristown, kathleen (Donald) Brown of Strawberry Plains and Christine Dockery of Morristown; two sons, Clinton (Sarah) Branner and Walter (Lois) Branner of Knoxville and another son in law, James Grey of Knoxville; twenty-three grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren; three nieces, Mary Waterson, Edna Jean Taylor and Florence Benn; one nephew, Charlie Branner and several other nieces and nephews; two sisters in law, Elnora Mattison and Melmer Ray; one brother in law, P. J. Evans and many other relatives and friends. The family is expecially grateful for the concern shown by the doctors and caring staff of the Jefferson County Nursing Home and the Life Care Center of Jefferson City. He spent the last eleven years of his life in these institutions and remained sentiment until the last few weeks before his demise. Friends may call at he home of his daughter and son in law, Kathleen and Donald Brown, 5921 W.A. Brown Rd, Strawberry Plains, TN. Funeral services will be Sunday, Feb. 23, 2003 at 8:00 p.m. at the Farrar Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Steve Simpson officiating. Interment graveside services will be Monday at 10 a.m. at Belmont Cemetery in Dandridge. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 7 until 8 p.m. prior to services at the funeral home. Arrangements by Farrar Funeral Home in Dandridge, TN (865) 397-2711