Hazel LaVerne (Guthrie) Branch: 10/3/1914 - 3/14/2008

[kaasirpent]

Here's the rough draft of the obit:

Hazel LaVerne (Guthrie) Branch died peacefully at her home in Eutaw, Alabama, Friday, March 14, 2008. She was born October 3, 1914 in Russellville, Arkansas. She and her husband of 71 years, Vernon Branch, met in 1930 at a “pie supper” in Russellville. They courted for six years and were married on December 17, 1936. Soon after America’s entry into WWII, they moved to California to help with the war effort. LaVerne was literally Rosie the Riveter, working at Boeing Aircraft riveting airplane bodies. After the war, they returned to Arkansas, but soon thereafter embarked on a lifetime of travel, following Vernon’s job from place to place. She lived all over the United States: Arkansas, California, Iowa, South Dakota, Alabama, West Virginia, and Mississippi, before finally settling in Eutaw in 1977 after Vernon retired so they could be close to family. LaVerne was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. For close to 60 years, she was a “housewife” until illness forced her into a wheelchair, after which she moved into a “supervisory” role.

LaVerne is survived by husband Vernon of Eutaw, Alabama; daughter Carlene Henderson of Eutaw, Alabama; son Darrell Branch of Mesa, Arizona; grandson Gary Henderson of Lawrenceville, Georgia; granddaughter Heather McClellan of (Phoenix), Arizona; granddaughter Debbie (something) of (Phoenix), Arizona¹; and many, many family and friends.

It is so very difficult to sum up a person’s life in a few short sentences. For those of us for whom she was always a rock-solid, steady presence in our lives, we will miss her gentle heart; her sly, mischievous smile; her caring nature; her laughter; her love of life; and her sense of humor. But most of all, we will miss her love. We are all better people for having had her in our lives.

Memorial services will be held at the Eutaw Baptist Church in Eutaw, Alabama, on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 2:00 pm. Visitation will be at 1 PM at the church.

We're waiting until Tuesday because my mother and I both have some sort of evil demon virus that has us both hacking up our lungs every 10 minutes. And the Baptist church and minister(s) have another service on Monday, so...it all works out.

I don't know if this is typical southern behavior, typical small-town behavior, typical country behavior, typical behavior period, or some combination of two or more of those, but we have been getting food from people all over town. We have two chocolate pound cakes, a chocolate pie, a lemon cream cake, BBQ pork, macaroni and cheese, two buckets of KFC and a whole bunch of biscuits, about 3 lbs of spiral-cut ham, sandwiches, some veggie soup, a loaf of bread.... It's a bit overwhelming, actually. But at least we don't have to worry about what we're going to eat for the next...week, which is the whole point, I guess.

Granddaddy is doing pretty well, considering. Neither he nor my mother slept at all last night, so I convinced them both to take a nap today while I answered phones and accepted visitors and their food, and then when he got up he wanted to watch the 70th anniversary video² I made for them in 2006. I wasn't sure that was a great idea, but...we made it through.

And...another thing I want to say is that the offers of help and ears and shoulders and sympathy—and escape—mean a lot to me.

---

1. We have to get exact locations and Debbie's last name from my uncle. I've never actually met Debbie, but if she's anything like her sister Heather, I'm sure she's good folks.
2. This is a bit over 18 minutes long, so you be the judge as to whether you have the bandwidth and/or time. But I'll say this: if I never do anything else worth a damn in my life, getting everyone around Eutaw to call her "Pretty Woman" for the last year of her life was good enough in my book.

Comments

[bigmeanie.livejournal.com]

The obituary is beautiful, Snakey. I would be so pleased if mine were written with as much love and care as this.

Granddaddy isn't the only one who watched the video. I tracked down the link to it in your journal earlier this evening and watched it with Steve. I'm so glad that you were able to do this for them while they were both able to enjoy and appreciate it.

As for food.. Steve's mom and we (separately) received quite a bit of food when Steve's dad passed away. I think it's a fairly common practice, but it's more common, IMO, among people who have a small town experience.

Take care, my friend, and please let me know if there is anything at all I/we can do for you.

[slymongoose.livejournal.com]

BIG HUGS on you, Kaa, my Friend.
I wish I was there to give them in person.

Yes, piling food onto y'all is traditional, everywhere. It was very nice and handy to have when my Papa passed on. You just don't want to make things up let alone go out shopping at a time like this. It's sweet that you're being taken care of.

I'm away, but you know my phone number and I may try calling later this next week.

HUGS, again,
Mongoose

[buckeyebrain.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear about your loss, my friend. I could say a bunch of things, and every one of them would be a cliche and something you've heard ten times already, so just know that my thoughts are with you and yours.

[musemom.livejournal.com]

You have my condolences, Snakey. Huggles during this difficult time.

[ex-prunesnp.livejournal.com]

It's a good obituary, I think you did well. We got the same kind of food deal when my aunt passed last year.

I have been thinking of you all day.

[kiteflier98.livejournal.com]

You're doing wonderful with the writing there. I wish you all the strength necessary to keep going through the days ahead. Here's hoping you and Mom are over the evil demon virus in good time, like yesterday. ;)

[humanbeatbox.livejournal.com]

In Eileen's family, the food brought over by everyone is referred to collectively as "Five-Alarm Shepherd's Pie" :).

Your obit is great. Your grandmother sounds like a very cool strong-spirited lady, and I could not love the part about "pie supper" more - reminds me of stories from my older family members in Alabama and Louisiana. It's a very Southern detail, which I'm sure would make her proud to have included.

We're so sorry for your family's loss, and if you need anything at all, certainly let us know.

[adsmguy.livejournal.com]

That is beautiful. I'll always remember her as the pretty woman presiding over the party.

Do you mind if I post it to the Branch and Guthrie family distribution lists after you resolve the locations?

[kaasirpent]

Not in the least. Thank you.

You're a great writer.

[ddreslough.livejournal.com]

That is beautiful! I hope you and your family are all holding up okay. *hugs*

[moonchsr.livejournal.com]

*big big big hugs* My sympathies...

[siercia]

Your obituary is lovely. Your love for her comes through so clearly.

I'm so sorry to hear of her passing. You and your whole family are in my thoughts and my heart.

[mrsadsmguy.livejournal.com]

You have given a truly wonderful tribute. We are here should you need anything at all.

[craftsman.livejournal.com]

I am sorry to hear this. Having lost a beloved grandparent recently, I know exactly how you feel.

[gala.livejournal.com]

I too am just catching up, but we send our condolences and our love to you and your family. That is singularly the best obituary I've ever ready, and hopefully it will bring more smiles than tears as the people who knew her remember her (I only read your stories of her, but felt like I knew her).