Phillip Branch Obituary and Memorial Program 2022 Adobe Version

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GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

Celebration of Life for
Phillip Craig Branch

Order of Celebration

Empowerment Temple AME
Fellowship Hall

Friday, May 27, 2022 [6:00 p.m.]
Officiating Clergy: Reverend Eva Branch, Empowerment Temple AME and
Minister George Branch Jr., Christian Unity Temple, Baltimore, Maryland

Musical Selection................."My Soul Has Been Anchored"................Minister Genise Williams,
Empowerment Temple AME

Invocation

Musical Selection............................"The Lord’s Prayer"..................................Minister Genise Williams,
Empowerment Temple AME

Scripture Reading ..........................................................Old Testament: Psalms 23, Kevin Branch Sr.
New Testament: John 14:1-4, Tamber Branch-Wright

Song Tribute.......................................“His Eye Is On The Sparrow".......................................Marae Wright

Expression of Love and Reflection....................................................Remembering Phillip C. Branch
Children who want to speak

Grandchildren who want to speak
Kenneth Branch
Kevin Branch

Open to anyone wanting to share brief comforting words or reflections

Acknowledgements and Reflection of Life’s Journey...............................DeLane Branch-Hines

Eulogy..............................................................................................................................Minister George Branch Jr.,
Christian Unity Temple

Benediction

Reflection of Phillip’s Life’s Journey

The sound of the celestial trumpets of our Heavenly Father called his son, PHILLIP CRAIG
BRANCH home to a peaceful rest on April 29, 2022. Phillip was born to the late George
S. Branch Sr., and Rosena N. Branch, on May 06, 1958, and was preceded in death by his
brother, Reginald Branch and grandson, Kavontay Branch.

Phillip received his education in Baltimore City Public Schools, and he graduated from
Edmondson Senior High School in 1976. His next steps included enlisting in the United
States Army in 1977, where he served in the medical battalions in Killeen, Texas and
Karlsruhe, Germany. When Phillip returned home from service, he faced many adversities
including the loss of his dear mother. Life challenges and decisions led Phillip on a
complicated path for many years of his life. However, through sharing his story and
monologues, he helped many men, women, and children of broken homes. He vigorously
studied the word of God with passion, and became a minister while advancing his
education and skills of various trades. He loved the word of God and his faith kept him
strong; that is, he struggled but never gave up. He was a jack of many trades! Phillip was
the brother you could call on to assemble “this or that,” paint (inside and outside your
home), carpentry, plumbing, landscaping, etc. He was only a phone call away and
consistently showed up and supported loved ones the best way he could. He always had
a prayer and words of encouragement to share with his family; Phillip loved his family
dearly.

He was baptized at an early age at Providence Baptist Church and was a member of Old
Taste and See Church. His family was most important to him, he never gave up the
pursuit to better himself, show love, and support the people closest to him in life -- the
lifelong loves of his life, his children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, and friends.
In his memory, Phillip leaves to mourn: Siblings, George Branch Jr. (Sister-in-law, Joyce
Branch), Tamber Branch-Wright, Michelle Robinson (Brother-in-law, John Robinson),
Kevin Branch Sr. (Sister-in-law, Eva Branch), and Kenneth Branch; Children, Derrick Keith
Branch (Daughter-in-law, Daphne Branch), Ashalé Branch, Erica Branch, Kareem Branch
(Son-in-law, Niejadd Evans); Tia Branch, and Brittany Branch; Grandchildren, Davon,
Delena, Keosha, Sequan, Cionne, Kayla, Kavona, Jordan, Derrick Jr., Zoey, Seth, Kauron,
and Sana’a; Great Grandchildren: Riley, Regan, Keith, Jamira, Kobe, and a host of cousins,
nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.





Poems and Tributes
The Broken Chain
We little knew the day God would call your name. In life we loved you
dearly; in death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, but
you did not go alone, for part of us went with you. The day God called
you home, you left us beautiful memories, your love is still our guide,
and though we cannot see you, you are always by our side. Our family
chain is broken and nothing seems the same, but as God calls us one

by one, the chains will link again.
- Rest in Peace, Your Brothers and Sisters

I Will Miss You

We had much in common. I love you and I will miss you

forever, my father. You were always happy to see me which

brought me joy, and I appreciate the way you always

expressed your love for family, love for life, and love of

wonder. I know that God made a place for you in Heaven

because of your kind heart and soul. I would have enjoyed

that chess game.

Remembering You - Rest in Peace, Your Loving Daughter, Erica

You can shed tears that he is gone, or you can

smile because he has lived. You can close your

eyes and pray that he’ll come back, or you can

open your eyes and see all he’s left. Your heart Forever in my Heart
can be empty because you can’t see him, or you I hide my tears when I say your name, but the
can be full of the love you shared. You can turn pain in my heart is still the same. Although I may
smile and seem okay, I miss you my brother with
your back on tomorrow and live yesterday, or all my heart. Those special memories of you, the
you can be happy for tomorrow because of talks and disagreements, will bring a smile to my
yesterday. You can remember him only that he is face. The fact that you’re no longer here pains
gone, or you can cherish his memory and let it my heart, but my memories will live forever in my
live on. You can cry and close your mind, be
empty and turn your back. Or you can do what heart and soul. So, until we meet again.
- Peace, Your Loving Sister, Tam

he’d want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

- Rest in Peace, Your Son, Kareem

Poems and Tributes
Family Tree
A limb has fallen from the tree Granddad
I hear a voice that whispers, 'Grieve not for me'
Remember the best times, the laughter, the songs
The good I lived while I was strong
Continue my heritage, I’m counting on you
Keep on smiling, the sun will shine through.
My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest
Remembering all ... how I was truly blessed
Continue traditions, no matter how small
Go on with your lives, don’t stare at the wall
I miss you all dearly so keep up your chin
Until that fine day we’re together again.
-You will live on through us, Your Children

Granddad, we know you can no longer stay with us, you fought long

and hard to be with us. We know you now watch over and protect us.

Although we cannot hear your voice or see your smiling face, We know

deep down in our hearts that you have not left us. Instead every day

you surround us with the singing of the birds, the rising of the sun and

the falling of night. So many broken hearts are left behind, but in our

deepest despair our greatest comfort lies knowing that you are now at

peace with the Angels and God. So as times passes our tears will dry,

our hearts will mend, but our love for you will never end.

- We Love you Granddaddy, We Love You PopPop, Your Grandchildren

Not Enough Time
The time we had, Dad, wasn’t nearly enough

To pack in an entire lifetime of love.
There are so many questions that I need answers to,
But now that you’re gone...there’s no way to ask you.

But there are still photos to remember you by,
Each time I look at them, I still want to cry.

They say grief is easier to bear as time goes by,
But that doesn’t stop me from wondering why?

Why my dear, sweet dad was taken so soon.
But I know God makes no mistakes, and you’re at peace now.

So all of the memories I’ll hold dear to my heart,
And maybe then it won’t seem like we are so far apart.

Rest well in Heaven
- Pumpkin/Brittany

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

EB