Branch, Mary (Mrs. Booker T.)

5/27/2013

APRIL 2, 1923 – MAY 27, 2013

Mary Chatman Branch, also was known as mama, sister girl, Mama Mary, tee Mary, Mrs. Rev., and Aunt Mary.
She enjoyed worshiping Christ in her home. The Christian moral and educational values she instilled in her children
is what was passed on to her grandchildren.

Mary enjoyed cooking. Some of her favorites were black-eyed peas, greens, fried chicken, and lemon pie. She’d
get you to fill your plate and she’d contently stand on the sides watching everyone eat and encouraging them to eat
more. She rarely sat to partake in the fruits of her labor. However, in a way, she did. She received joy from seeing
her family together and happy. There are other memories of tee Mary: the sugar cane truck, watching “Murder, She
Wrote,” shopping, or her slow driving to the movie, or when she dropped her friend off at her first job. However,
the one that I will keep in the forefront of my mind is her strong love for her family. That is something that will live
in us, always.

Mary Chatman Branch was born to the union of Joe and Almena Moses Chatman on April 2, 1923, in Clinton, LA.
While attending school, she met a young man, Booker T. Branch, who was a preacher. He became the love of her
life. After several months of dating and courting, as she would call it, they were married. They were married for
forty years until his death on August 16, 1980. To this union a daughter and a son were born. God in His infinite
wisdom, blessed them with another daughter to rear as their own.

Mary Chatman Branch joined Camphor Memorial UMC in 1978, where she served on the Senior Usher Board until
her health began to decline. She was a faithful usher. She departed this life on May 27, 2013. She is preceded in
death by her parents, Joe and Almena Chatman, five brothers and four sisters. She leaves to cherish her memories: a
son, Walter B. Branch (Claudia); two daughters, Leona B. McCastle, and Estelle Pitts Selders; three grandchildren,
Douglas McCastle, Jr., Robyn J. Selders, and Robert J. Selders (Michelle); one great grandson, Zion Selders; one
sister, Mamie Chatman Holmes; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Mama also loved to shop. On Saturdays, she would go to the mall and buy things for herself and others. She loved
working in the yard and garden. She and her husband would plant all kinds of vegetables and fruits. Her favorite
fruit was strawberries.

She like to watch TV. Her favorite show was “Mission Impossible.” We could not breathe too loud. She did not
want to miss a word. As a family, she enjoyed traveling to Amite, LA to visit her dad and his wife, her step-mom.
Papa Joe would always have strawberries waiting for her.

We really miss you.