Thelma (George) Branson was one of 13 children. She was born in March and always said that there was snow piled up to the top of the picket fence on the day she was born.

I've done genealogy research on Thelma, and, amazingly, she has a lot of high ranking English nobility in her bloodline. Through the George side, I traced
her roots directly back to William the Conqueror and several other English Kings, including the cruel Long Shanks. The family line is legitimate offspring. Through the Stafford side, her ancestry includes the Duke of Buckingham who was instrumental in the War of Roses and beheaded for his involvement. It could be argued that the Stafford's were the rightful heirs to the throne. As a result, they were always somewhat of a threat to the British Crown and through history, several Staffords were beheaded. But one escaped the axe and boarded a ship to the New World.

I often wonder if my grandma knew anything about the historic and romantic side of her family history. Perhaps not, because somehow, and unfortunately, families forget these things over time.

While in her 40's, she was told that she had a pelvic tumor. She was admitted for surgery and got a big surprise when she learned that the "tumor" was actually a baby. She found the unexpected pregnancy to be a blessing, however, when her first son, Mickey, was born.

She celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary in 1980 with Dillard Branson, the love of her life. She was laid to rest beside him at Memorial Park Cemetery in St. Joseph, MO.

She is survived by four children; Phyllis Blue, Bonnie O'Connell, Joy Crowley, and Mickey Branson, all of St. Joseph, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Her sister, Lucille Burknett, and her daughter, Bonnie O'Connell followed her in death.

She was an excellent cook and laid a big spread on the table every sunday, which always included roast beef and mashed potatoes. She was renown for her raspberry pie. And she had a huge garden and canned just about everything.

She is greatly missed.

I would like to thank Bob Barker for sponsoring my grandmother's grave. God bless you, Bob. Please leave flowers for his family.