Florence (Beasley) Brannon

Florence Beasley Brannon passed away peacefully after a brief illness in San Antonio, Texas on Wednesday, January 9, 2019.  She was born to the late John William and Pearl Forkner Beasley on September 29, 1921 in Chesterfield, VA.

Florence grew up in Pilot Mountain, graduating from Pilot Mountain High School in 1938. She attended RPI, now known as VCU in Richmond, VA, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1942.  After graduating, she embarked on a life of adventure. During World War II, she lived in Manhattan and was employed by Sperry Gyroscope Company.  She lived briefly in St. Simons Island, GA, and Santa Barbara, CA, where she took a summer job with the Alisal Guest Ranch driving celebrities to and from the airport. When she returned to Pilot Mountain, she met Richard Earle Brannon Sr., a graduate of North Carolina State University who was employed with Armtex, Inc.  They fell in love and were married in June, 1951. After his death in 1969, she remained busy raising their three children. She taught math at North Surry High School in Mt. Airy before retiring.  She also had a life long passion of collecting antiques, and maintained a booth at Mount Pilot Antiques.  She loved spending time visiting her children and grandchildren. This past year she was blessed with her first great grandchild.   The last three years of her life were spent at Mo-Ranch in Hunt, Texas where she lived with her daughter, Lynne and son-in-law, Dick Powell.

Mrs. Brannon will be greatly missed and leaves cherished memories with her children, Lynne Brannon (Richard) Powell, Richard Earle Brannon, Jr., and Douglas Bryson Brannon; grandchildren, Richard Holland (Mary Beth) Powell III, Richard Whittington (Julie) Brannon, Amanda Brannon (William) Hemsworth, and Elizabeth Brannon Powell (William) White; and great-grandson, Bryson Steven Powell.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Richard Earle Brannon, Sr.; parents, John W. and Pearl Beasley; brother and sisters, Norwood Grayson Beasley, Rachel Rooke, Mildred Shore, Carole Sperry, and twin sister, Frances Glace.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at First Baptist Church, Pilot Mountain, NC from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM with the service immediately following. Interment will follow at Pilot Mountain Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Baptist Church, Charles Stone Memorial Library or Presbyterian Mo-Ranch Assembly www.moranch.org

Cox-Needham Funeral Home of Pilot Mountain(http://www.coxneedham.com, www.facebook.com/coxneedham) is respectfully serving the Brannon family.

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