Burnice Branham

Burnice L. Branham, 83, known to his family and friends as Franklin D., left this earth on the evening of January 2, 2016 with his wife and daughters by his side. Franklin was a devoted husband to his wife, Omel, and a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather, son, and brother. He was a man who loved to be on the go and enjoyed a good time with family and friends, playing cards, golfing, fishing, or sitting around swapping stories and telling tall tales. He was one of the few men on the face of the earth who actually enjoyed shopping. Franklin was born in Pike County, Kentucky, The thirteenth (and youngest) child of Russell and Sarah (Martin) Branham. He served for nine years in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany for three of those years, during which time he wooed his future wife with love letters and visits until he finally wore her down and got her to agree to marry him. They celebrated sixty years of wedded bliss in July 2015. Franklin and Omel's birthdays were two days apart and for those two days every year in May Franklin would tease his wife about being a whole year older than him (much to his enjoyment) but she would always remind him that she was only thirty-nine years old. Franklin and Omel moved to Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio with their family the 1960s, where he was employed as a foreman in material and handling at Ford Motor Company in Walton Hills, Ohio after his retirement they returned to Pikeville, Kentucky. He was preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Sarah Branham, his nine brothers: Wiley Andy (Melster), Asberry (Lola Ann), Sidney (Maxie) Allen, William (Ella Lois) Newton, Kermit (Opal), Hatler (Emma) Hassell, Steve, William Thomas (Ilene) and Stanley, his three sisters, Minerva Alice Branham, Sendy (Orville) Hamilton, Celia Margaret Branham. also preceding him were his father and mother-in-law, Kermit Edgar and Leona (Little) Bartley, sisters in law, Glema Lue Bartley, Glenys Laverne Bartley, Glenda Jewel Francis (Bartley). Survivors include his loving wife, Omel Delorce (Bartley) Branham, his two daughters and son in laws, Lydia Jean Doyle (James B.) and Leona joan Frederick (Thomas E.) his grandchildren, Ashley (Dan) Brubaker, Heather (Matt) Brown, Kristin (Chris) Arbaugh, Jacob Frederick, two great granddaughters, Devyn Doyle and Mila Arbaugh. A third great grandchild is expected in August 2016. Also surviving him are his brother and sisters in law, Magdalene Branham, Pauline Branham, Larry Francis, Jimmy and Verla jarrell, and the sister and brother of his heart, Ola and Acie Newsom. There are a multitude of nieces and nephews who he loved dearly but are too numerous to name. Visitation will be Tuesday at 5p.m. at the Lucas & Son Funeral Home. The funeral will be Wednesday, 1 p.m., January 6, 2016 at the Lucas & Son Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Annie E. Young Cemetery.