Obituary for Clarence Branch, Sr.

Clarence Leslie Branch, Sr. went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Wednesday, March 31, 2010, after a sudden illness. Services were at 10 a.m. Friday, April 2, 2010, at Calvary Baptist Church in Brownfield, with Dale Matlock and Joseph O'Briant co-officiating. Interment will follow with Steve Carter officiating, at Terry County Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Brownfield Funeral Home.

Clarence was born December 3, 1927, in Driscoll, Texas to William Jennings and Ima Branch. He graduated from Corpus Christi High School in 1946 where he lettered in football for three years and was captain his senior year. He attended Rice University, and the University of Corpus Christi. He was elected captain of the football team while at U.C.C. and also lettered in basketball.

While a student at Rice, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served 18 months of military duty. He was contacted by the Pittsburg Steelers to gauge his interest in playing for their team, but decided to play for the Lord's team instead. Bro. Clarence was called to preach the Gospel while a student at U.C.C. He later returned to U.C.C. to finish his degree and graduated there in 1961.

The Lord allowed him to serve in many different ministries over the years, including Second Baptist Church, New Braunfels; Bethel Baptist Church, Corpus Christi; Retama Park Baptist Church, Kingsville; Forrest Park Baptist Church, Corpus Christi; Calvary Baptist Church, Brownfield; First Baptist Church, Anson; Windsor Park Baptist Church, Corpus Christi; and West Shore Baptist Church, Lake Corpus Christi. He also held revivals in Brazil, California, Kansas, Oregon, North Dakota and over most of the state of Texas.

Clarence is survived by his "Sweet Wife" Dorothy Marie. They were married in 1948 by Lester Roloff in Corpus Christi, Texas. He is also survived by his daughter, Cheryll Matlock and husband Dale of Brownfield, as well as his son, Clarence "Leslie" Branch, Jr. of the home.

Clarence was lovingly called "Papa" by his five grandsons-Robert Steagall and his wife Angela of Corpus Christi; John Steagall and his wife Penny of Honolulu; Aaron Steagall of Brownfield; Joseph O'Briant, III and his wife Elizabeth of Welch; and Joshua O'Briant, and his wife Tiffany of Brownfield, and seven great-grandchildren.

Memorials can be made to Brownfield Senior Citizens or Challis Baptist Church.

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