Obituary of Mary Frances Branch

Mary Frances Branch, age 93, died on July 30, 2016, after a several months of declining health. She was born on November 24, 1922, in Durham, N.C. to the late Mr. and Mrs. James W. Kellam. She graduated from Durham High School in 1940 and attended Women's College of The University of North Carolina. She received her Master's Degree in Physical Education from UNC Chapel Hill in 1948. She taught in the Physical Education Department at UNCG from 1944-45. She retired as an Associate Professor in Physical Education at UNC-Chapel Hill after teaching from 1946-1980. Mary Frances was preceded in death by her husband, Waverly H. (Bookie) Branch and her brother, Earl W. Kellam. She is survived by her stepson, Gordon N. Branch and wife, Nancy, granddaughter, Katherine Branch Mills and husband, Patrick, great grandson, Branch "Beau" Mills, of Durham, nephews: Ronald D. Kellam and wife, Anne, of Durham and Richard G. Kellam and wife, Becky, of Fort Worth, Texas. Great nephews Jeff Kellam and wife, Suzy of Charlotte, and Scott Kellam of Singapore and great nieces Katelyn Truitt and Kyndel Kellam of Ft. Worth, TX. Great-great nieces, Taylor and Sara Kellam of Charlotte, who knew her as GiGi. Funeral services will be held at the Chapel of the Cross, 304 East Franklin Street in Chapel Hill on Wednesday, August 3 at 2:00. The family will receive guests at a reception following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Chapel of the Cross, or a charity of your choice. The family would like to express it's appreciation to Dr. Whitman Reardon, Dr. Beth Rosenburg, and PA Sarah Saunders of Chapel Hill Internal Medicine, UNC Hospice, Nurse Care of North Carolina, and her long-time CNA, Jostina Gillaspie, for their care and assistance, and to her many close friends who loved her and stayed in touch daily. Online condolences may be extended to the family at www.walkerfuneralservice.com