In Memory of...

Mr. Floyd Brannen died on Monday, September 22, 2014, at Brown’s Health and Rehabilitation Center under the care of Ogeechee Area Hospice in Statesboro, Georgia.

Just as he had lived his life, so, he left this life—simply, quietly, and peacefully. He had resided all of his ninety-eight years in Bulloch County. Born on February 26, 1916, he was the second son of Abe Lonnie and Lula Ayche Allen Brannen. Floyd grew up in the Westside Community where he attended one-room schoolhouses, one of which was the Alderman School. Later, he liked to reminisce about his school days and being in charge of fueling the pot-bellied stove with coal. Floyd married Mary Maude Mixon in 1939, and they became the parents of four children. He and his family lived on a small farm in southern Bulloch County where they farmed the land and were well-respected in their community. Mr. Brannen also worked seasonal jobs at T. E. Rushing Peanut Company and local tobacco warehouses.

After he retired from farming, he worked at Georgia Southern University managing equipment for the GSU Athletic Department. He was a diehard fan of the GSU Eagles, as well as an avid University of Georgia Bulldog supporter. A charter member of the Sand Hill Hunting Club, he was an environmentalist and an ethical sportsman who especially enjoyed hunting quail and deer. Whatever he killed, however, had to be food for his table just like the vegetables from his summer and fall gardens.

Later in life, he became quite the expert at growing a variety of flowers, including his beautiful irises, camellias, and azaleas. Always ready with a funny story or joke to tell any listening ear, Mr. Brannen enjoyed his family and his friends throughout his life.

Mr. Brannen was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of seventy-three years, Mary Maude Mixon Brannen; his brothers, Lonnie L. Brannen, Rob Brannen, Joe Brannen and Pete Brannen; his sisters, Mary Magaline, Gracie Lee Deal, Audie May Rushing, Evaline Stripling, Helen McDaniel, and Shirley Dodson; and his infant grandson, Lance Kipling Brannen.

He is survived by his children and their spouses: Nadyne and Rodney J. Harville, Mary Elizabeth and Elder Lavone O. Anderson, Floyd Wendell and Brenda Brannen, and Phillip Michael and Jill Brannen. Other survivors include his grandchildren and their spouses, Teresa and Elder Dean Robbins, Tiffany and Reese Bischoff, Toni and Michael Smith, Tamela and Danny Smith, Brad and Gina Anderson, Wendy Brannen, Caroline Brannen, Rachel Brannen, and Patrick Brannen; his great-grandchildren, Austin Anderson, Laura Robbins, Elijah Smith, and Joshua Smith; his great-great grandson, Brannen Smith; and his sister, Lila Dell Freeman. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Annabel Banks, Shirley Brannen, and Elizabeth Royal Brannen, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The visitation for Mr. Brannen will be held on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 from 10:00am until 11:00am.

Funeral services will be at 11:00am in the chapel of Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home with Elder Lavone O. Anderson officiating.

Interment will be in the Middleground Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery with Elder Dean Robbins leading officiating.

Pallbearers will be Roy Brannen, Troy Brannen, Al Cartee, Hal Cartee, Donald Donaldson, and B.J. Tillman.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Ogeechee Area Hospice, P.O. Box 531, Statesboro, Ga. 30459 or the Middleground Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, C/O Mr. Jappy Akins, 4551 Bella Terra Road, Brooklet, Ga. 30415.

Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory of Statesboro is in charge of the arrangements.

As published on the Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home website.