Bertella “Bert” Branham, age 79 of Highland, IL, died Thursday, October 31, 2019, at her residence in Highland, IL.
She was born on August 26, 1940, in Muldraugh, KY, the daughter of Jesse and Grace (nee Fannin) Conley.
On November 23, 1959, she married Ralph E. Branham at Moraine, OH. He survives in Highland, IL.
She was a member of Highland Southern Baptist Church. She was also a member of VFW Post# 5694 Auxillary – Highland, IL .
Bert was born on Aug 26, 1940 in Muldraugh, KY. She moved to Levee, KY at age 6 and lived there until graduating from Beaver Creek High School in Beaver Creek, OH, and working at a local drug store. She married Ralph in Moraine, OH on November 23, 1959. He was already enlisted in the US Air Force and she was happy to join him during their 21 year Air Force career which took them to several different places. This spurred her passion to relocate, decorate and establish new homes. They moved to Freeburg, IL in 1973 while being stationed at Scott Air Force Base. She enjoyed a 25 year career as a phlebotomist at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Belleville, until retiring in 1995. After a time in Huntsville, AL they relocated to Highland in 2009. During her 10 years in Highland, she was a member of Highland Southern Baptist Church and Auxiliary member of VFW Post 5694. She also enjoyed reading, decorating and spending time with her extended family consisting of 3 children, 11 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren. She was married almost 60 years to her cherished loving husband Ralph.
Survivors include :
Husband – Ralph E. Branham MSGT USAF Retried, Highland, IL
Son – Ralph Anthony “Tony” Branham, Kings Mountain, NC
Son – Mark Owen (Karla Kay) Branham, Wentzville, MO
Daughter – Sonja M. Branham, Highland, IL
Grandchild – Jessica (Charles) Grimes, Fort Mill, SC
Grandchild – Justin (Meghann) Branham, Chesterfield, IL
Grandchild – Corry Branham, St. Louis, MO
Grandchild – Mark E. (Jodi) Branham, Fort Worth, TX
Grandchild – Krystal A. (David) Hagerman, Mulvane, KS
Grandchild – Matt O. (Fiancee Erin Zickel) Branham, Saint Peters, MO
Grandchild – Mike K. (Jaclyn) Branham, Wentzville, MO
Grandchild – Kandyce K. Branham, Wentzville, MO
Grandchild – Kameryn A. Branham, Wentzville, MO
Grandchild – Courtney (Eric) Heyen, Troy, IL
Grandchild – Alli (Brian) Henderson, Gillespie, IL
Great Grandchild – Peyton Branham
Great Grandchild – Connor Branham
Great Grandchild – Kelton Grimes
Great Grandchild – Kane Grimes
Great Grandchild – Parker Branham
Great Grandchild – Ayla Branham
Great Grandchild – Eastyn Hagerman
Great Grandchild – Mack Branham
Great Grandchild – Brentley Branham
Great Grandchild – Oliver Heyen
Sister – Brenda Faye Thompson, Mt. Sterling , KY
She was preceded in death by :
Father – Jesse L. Conley
Mother – Grace L. Conley nee Fannin
Daughter-In-law – Kelly S. Branham nee Quayle – Died 9/11/2018
Arrangements are being handled by Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Sunday, November 03, 2019, at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL and from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Monday, November 04, 2019, at Highland Southern Baptist Church in Highland, IL.
Funeral Service/Mass will be at 11:00 AM on Monday, November 04, 2019, at Highland Southern Baptist Church in Highland, IL, with Rev. Dr. Billy Blackmon officiating.
Interment will be at Lake View Memorial Gardens in Fairview Heights, IL.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society or Highland Southern Baptist Church.
