Barbara Lavonne Branson

Barbara Lavonne Branson, 83, formerly of Williamsburg, Kansas, died Sunday, March 23, 2014, in Justin, Texas. Graveside services will be held at Highland Cemetery, Ottawa, Kansas, 10:00 a.m., Thursday, April 3, 2014. Friends may pay their respects to Mrs. Branson at Dengel Son Mortuary from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 2, 2014. Barbara was born on Thursday, August 28, 1930 in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of Estle Reed and Cloie (McFarland) Lewis. She was a resident of Williamsburg, Kansas from 1959 to 2012, moving from Lawrence, Kansas. She worked at King Radio as an assembler from 1978 to 1995 and she also worked at Country Kitchen, both in Ottawa. She was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Memorial Post #5901 Auxiliary. On September 10, 1969, Barbara was united in marriage with Herbert Francis Branson in Perry, Kansas. He preceded her in death on October 4, 1984. Also preceding Barbara in death are her parents; daughter, Billie Jo McGinnes; and stepson, Johnny Branson. Survivors include her two daughters, Terri Pappatheodore, and Linda Shaffer; two stepsons, Mike Branson, and Steve Branson; adopted daughter, Earlene Hicks of Ottawa, Kansas; and seventeen grandchildren. The past two years she was a resident of Justin, Texas. Barbara enjoyed the time she spent with her grandchildren, Warren McDaniel and Jodi Parker. She loved going to the Spur and Cattle Cafe to eat her grill cheese, French fries and, of course, black coffee. But her greatest joy in her last days was showing off her great-granddaughters, Sarah and Allison Parker, to the other residents of the nursing home. Barbara was loved dearly and will be missed greatly by those who had the pleasure of spending time with her. The family suggests memorial contributions to Ottawa Bible Church c/o Dengel Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. An online Guest Book is available at www.dengelmortuary.com.