Annette Slater Branch

Annette Slater Branch, 76, died Monday, June 24, 2013 at home in the arms of her husband of 58 years, Dr. Roger Branch. She was born to Troy D. and Essie Mae Futch Slater in Tattnall County and grew up in Cobbtown. The Branches had lived in Statesboro for the past 43 years. Annette was a 1954 Collins High School graduate. She attended Georgia State College for Women and the University of Georgia and graduated from Georgia Southern University with honors, earning a BA degree with a double major in Anthropology and Sociology. She was the first person to receive a degree in anthropology from Georgia Southern. She then earned a master's degree in education but spurned all that for the work she loved most, grand-mothering. She attended Cobbtown Baptist Church. She was predeceased by her parents; brothers, Charles and Olin Slater; sister and her husband, Helen Slater Rogers and Joe.

Survivors are her husband, Dr. Roger Branch of Statesboro; son and daughter-in-law, Dr. R. Gary Branch, Jr. and Dr. Carla S. Branch of Statesboro; daughter, Elizabeth Annette Branch of Statesboro; granddaughters, Heidi Howard (Adam Morris), Julia Branch and Claire Branch of Statesboro; grandson, Sean Barron; great granddaughters, Allison Barron and Juliet Morris all of Statesboro; brothers, Alton (Faye) Slater of Metter; Glen (Barbara, who is more sister than in-law) of Cobbtown; sister-in-law, Rosemarie Slater of Augusta; brother-in-law, Jimmy (Nan) Branch of Lyons; fourteen nieces and nephews, most of who thought of her as a second mother; L.C. and Betty Williams of Ailey and Dr. Arthur Sparks of Statesboro loved her like a sister when she faltered.

Visitation will be held at Kennedy Funeral Home, Cobbtown Chapel, on Wednesday, 5-7 PM, followed by an "I remember Annette" hour for those who want to celebrate her life together. Funeral services will be held Thursday, 11:00 AM, at the Cobbtown Baptist Church where she was baptized and married. Dr. Allen Gragg will deliver the funeral message. The body will lie in state at the church one hour before the funeral. Burial will follow in the Wilkes-Branch Cemetery in Toombs County. Pallbearers will be Dennis Allen, David Atkinson, Sean Barron, Stanley Slater, Dr. Arthur Sparks and L.C. Williams.

Remembrances may be made to Agape Fund or Cultural Heritage Fund at Georgia Southern University, American Cancer Society or the Red Cross or your favorite charity. Please sign the guest book at kennedyfuneralhomechapels.com.

Kennedy Funeral Homes, Cobbtown Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.