Bessie Ouita Branham (1922-2011)


SHERMAN - Bessie Ouita Branham, 89, of Sherman passed away on Sunday, June 5, 2011, at her residence. Arrangements are under the direction of Dannel Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at Dannel Funeral Chapel with Rev. Kerry Phillips of Church of God in Farmers Branch officiating, assisted by Rev. Maurice Shaw, brother of Ouita Branham. Interment will follow in Akers Cemetery.
The family will be at the funeral home on Wednesday an hour before the service.
Mrs. Shaw was born on Feb. 26, 1922 in Madill, Okla. to Jessie and Bessie Mae (Martin) Shaw. She was educated in the public schools in Dorchester. She was one month shy of graduation when she left school to marry the love of her life, Raymond F. Branham. They were married on April 29, 1941, in Colbert, Okla.
Ouita worked at several jobs: Brice Pickle Co., Denison Cotton Mill, and making cartridges for the U.S. military. She went on to serve as a nurse's aide at the Chapel of Care until she retired. The family remembers her as a caring and loving grandmother who helped raise her grandkids as if they were her own.
Ouita was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Raymond, four sisters and six brothers. She is survived by two daughters: Judy Marie Smith and husband Wayne of Sherman and Elana Ouita David and husband Douglas of Sadler; a son/grandson: David Ray Godbey, Jr. and wife Donna of Sherman; three grandkids, nine great- grandkids and four great-greatgrandkids. She is also survived by two brothers: Rev. Maurice Shaw and wife Pauline of Simms, and Daniel Shaw and wife Joann of Bells; and a sister, Neva Watwood of Waco.
Pallbearers will be Aaron Medlock, Cody Godbey, Jarrod Godbey, Michael Freeman, Jerrick Barredo, Jasper Barredo and Bo Godbey.
Memorials may be made to Home Hospice of Grayson County, 505 W. Center St., Sherman, TX 75090.
You may sign the online guestbook at www.dannelfuneralhome.com.
Published in The Herald Democrat on June 8, 2011