Patsy Ruth Branch

Patsy Ruth Branch, 83, of Abilene passed away on February 10, 2013 in Abilene, Texas. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 pm, Tuesday, February 12, 2013, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm, Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at Hillcrest Church of Christ, with Terry Brown officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery. Arrangements are by The Hamil Family Funeral Home. Patsy was born in Dallas, Texas to Freed and Haskell Waldrop on September 11, 1929. She went to school at Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas. She married Bob Branch on June 8, 1951 in Oklahoma. She attended Abilene Christian College. She was involved in Abilene Mothers’ Study Club, Motherly Love, PTA, Highland Church of Christ Pantry, children’s Bible classes, and numerous other organizations. Patsy worked every day of her life. There were no time clocks to start or end the day, but a crying baby needing her mother’s care…the ding of a kitchen timer to notify her that a meat, three sides, and cornbread had somehow finished cooking at the same time and were ready for a presentation fit for royalty, or a husband, 3 kids, and perhaps a neighborhood kid who could use a hot meal…ringing telephone and a worried voice needing the calm reassurance of an old friend…audible intuition that let her know her kids would be cleaning up toilet paper from a neighbor’s front yard the following day…sound of a front door opening, and the unannounced family or guests walking into a house that had always just been cleaned… Her jobs never ended and she loved and was loved by everyone with whom she so lovingly served. Patsy Branch was preceded in death by her parents, Freed and Haskell Waldrop, and a brother, John Waldrop. Patsy is survived by her beloved husband of 60+ years Bob Branch; son, Ken Branch and wife Diane, two daughters, Cindy Larson and husband Don, Janet Ratliff and husband Bryce; nine grandchildren: Tony Larson, Amy Powers, Chad Larson, Jared Branch, Andrew Branch, Kellye Tilford, Stehl Ratliff, Lexxi Ratliff, and Lakyn Ratliff; ten great grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Tony Larson, Jared Branch, Andrew Branch, Chad Larson, Stehl Ratliff, and Mark Powers. Memorials may be given to Christian Homes of Abilene. The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Udaya Swarna, Dr. Joseph Ferguson, and the caring staff at Abilene Regional Hospital.