Mr. Jimmy Gray Branch

Jimmy Gray Branch, age 74, of Mount Airy, entered Heaven's gate on Thursday, November 6, 2014 at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home (Dobson) surrounded by his family and friends. He was born in Surry County on April 10, 1940 to Alma Stephens Branch Mitchell (Mount Airy) and the late John Elgin Branch. Jimmy was retired from the North Carolina Department of Transportation after 34 years of service and was a member of Salem Baptist Church. He leaves his loving wife of 54 years, Avanelle "Abby" Hardy Branch, of the home; children Dennis and Julie Branch (Pfafftown) Penny Branch London (Statesville) Fonda Branch Mooney (Mount Airy) and Tommy and Cecania Branch (Mount Airy) ; grandchildren Whitney and Grant Metcalf, Amos London, Isaac London, Mary Elizabeth London, Jessica Branch, Katelyn Branch, Cora Branch and Benjamin Branch; great-grandchild, Eli Metcalf; sister, Lucille Branch Duncan (High Point); and extended family, Brenda and Roger Garris (Hamptonville) and Linda Hardy (Dobson). In addition to his father, Jimmy was preceded in death by a sister, Helen Branch Villarreal and her husband, Mario; two brothers-in-law, Bobby Duncan and Billy Hardy. Funeral service will be held at 2 pm on Sunday November 9, 2014 at Salem Baptist Church by Rev. Sammy Lawson and Rev. Shane Nixon. He will lie-in-state one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 6 to 8 pm. The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the many friends and family members for their love and support, along with the entire staff of the Woltz Hospice Home for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home, 945 Zephyr Road, Dobson, NC 27017. Moody Funeral Home (Dobson) is serving the Branch family.