Lawrence Matthew Branch

KERNERSVILLE- Lawrence Matthew Branch, CLU, 78, with his loving family by his side, peacefully entered his heavenly home on September 1, 2014, on a beautiful Labor Day evening. He was born in Forsyth County to the late Matthew and Collie Stewart Branch.

He spent his entire life in the Winston-Salem/Kernersville area. Lawrence was an ordinary man made extraordinary by the grace of God. He was loved, admired, and respected by his family, friends and colleagues. He was a devoted husband, father, and Pa who dedicated his entire life to loving, supporting and encouraging his family. His family will forever cherish their fun times spent with Pa and Mimi at their condo and second home at Atlantic Beach, NC, and his love for the holidays, especially Christmas with our family tradition of finding the perfect Christmas tree in the NC mountains.
Lawrence was a current member of Triad Baptist Church. During his life, he served the Lord in many capacities. He loved teaching Sunday School and was very influential in the lives of young men when he taught the Intermediate Boys Sunday School Class at the former Sprague Street Baptist Church. He also served as Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, chaired many building campaigns and served on various church committees. A veteran of the US Army, he served his country during the Korean Conflict while being stationed in Germany. In 1959, Lawrence began his sales career in life insurance as an agent with Life of Virginia Insurance Co. and later became a sales manager. He also opened Branch Insurance Planning as a financial planner. He was a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and was dedicated to his career for more than 50 years and served his clients with integrity and excellence.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brothers, Eugene, Wade, Coland, Clint and MB Branch.

Surviving are, the love of his life, and wife of 57 years, Nancy Swaim Branch; two daughters and sons-in-law whom he adored, Gina Sides (Randy) and Tonya Crump (Stan); four special grandsons who were the joy of his life, Matthew Sides (fiancé-Patience), Austin Crump, Hayden Crump, and his little buddy, Hunter Crump; brothers-Wayne Branch (Beverly), Roland Branch (Ann), a sister, Cordelia Westmoreland, sister-in-law, Libby Branch, a special brother-in -law, Ben Swaim, Jr. and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, September 5, 2014 at Triad Baptist Church in Kernersville with Dr. Rob Decker and Rev. Wayne Branch officiating. Burial will follow in Oaklawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, September 4, 2014 at Hayworth Miller Kernersville Chapel.

Flowers are appreciated or memorial contributions may be made to Triad Baptist Church Building Fund, 1175 S. Main Street, Kernersville, NC 27284.

A special thanks to Dr. Denise Laurienti (Dad's Dr. L), along with Dad's other doctors, and the 8th floor pulmonary and ICU 2 staff at Forsyth Medical Center , for providing Dad with excellent care.
Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com

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