John Franklin Branson

Mr. John Franklin Branson, 73 years of age, passed away Thursday, April 20, 2023, at his home.  He was born to Samuel Lee and Olean Newell Branson in Sikeston, MO.  He and his family moved to Mississippi when he was a child and then in high school, they moved to Jackson.  It was in Jackson that he met the love of his life, Patricia Kaye Osgood, they graduated Forest Hill High School together in 1968 and then got married in 1973.  They had 3 sons and a daughter.  In 2007, they moved to Terry, MS.  He was a Letter Carrier for the United States Postal Service for many years in Jackson and then eventually in Pearl when he retired.  He was an avid NASCAR fan and enjoyed collecting memorabilia and loved attending the races in Talladega.  He loved his family and absolutely adored his grandchildren. He would look forward to attending sports events, recitals, and dances of his eight grandchildren.  He had a large extended family and traveled to see them as often as he could.   John could be found on his John Deere tractor cutting grass every chance he got and enjoyed a lifelong hobby of taking pictures. He was more than just an active member of Hillcrest Baptist Church for nearly 50 years, he was a Christian and was involved in the children’s ministries.  He even went to Mexico on several mission trips.

He is preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Jenice Ann Branson; sister-in-law, Cathy Branson; brother-in-law, Johnny Rushing, and a grandchild, Samuel Boone.

Those left behind to cherish his memories are his adoring wife, Patricia Branson; a daughter, Jessica (Matthew) Cain of Boonville, MS; and 3 sons, Chris (Sonya) Branson of Saltillo, MS, Chad (Jennifer) Branson of Santa Rosa Beach, FL, and Justin (Dusty) Branson of Harrisville, MS.  Along with those are a brother and a sister, Bill Branson of Buford, GA and Charlotte Rushing of Lutz, FL; and 8 grandchildren, Jack and Liam Branson, Peyton and Reed Branson, Brayden Branson, and Carter, Lily, and Noah Cain.

The family will receive friends for a visitation on Sunday from 2pm-4pm at Chancellor Funeral Home in Byram.  There will be a visitation Monday, April 24, 2023, from 10am until the hour of service at 11am at Hillcrest Baptist Church.  Interment will follow at Lakewood South.