Obituary for Robert J. Branch, Jr.
Robert James Branch, Jr., affectionately known as Junnie, was the third son of Robert J. Branch Sr. and the late Norma J Branch. As God saw his work was done, he called him home on Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at his residence.
Junnie was born on June 3, 1963 in Richmond, VA. He lived with his family in Crewe VA where his father still resides. He was baptized and joined First Nottoway Baptist Church at an early age. He attended Nottoway public schools and was a graduate of Nottoway Senior High School, Class of 1981.
As a man, Junnie had various forms of employment. The job he loved the most, however, was working for the U.S. Postal Service as a truck driver which gave him the opportunity to travel to different places and make new friends. It was easy for Junnie to make new friends.
His life was rooted in Crewe, Virginia where he returned to live out the later years of his life and enjoy his passions. He loved spending time with his family and friends joking, telling “tall tales”, and laughing. He especially loved his nieces and nephews and they loved Uncle Junnie for the kindness he showed them. Junnie was an exceptional athlete in basketball, baseball and track. For this height, he was arguably the best leaper in Richmond-Nottoway area. In a track competition, he once jumped beyond the long jump pit. He frustrated many an opponent on the basketball court with his jumping ability. In baseball, it was likely he was going to hit the ball out of the park and he had a gifted throwing arm. Junnie was an outstanding cook. He could cook just about any food. He could cook a wild rabbit and you thought you were eating chicken smothered in gravy. He loved to have cookouts and would always be the attending chef. He was so good at cooking that people would often call upon him to cook at their events. Junnie was an avid hunter. He loved training and running his beagles. He named each one and treated them like they were his children. His dogs responded to his love for them by being the best hunting dogs “in the world”, which was evidenced by many successful hunting trips. Junnie loved fishing. He had a quick wit and would be the one that always would say something to keep the fishing party laughing. He would often boast about how many fish he caught and nobody could catch more fish than Junnie. But most of all, he loved doing kind acts even for animals. You could call on him anytime, and if he could assist you he would.
Junnie was preceded in death by his daughter, Robin Branch. He is survived by his son, Ryan R. Peterson, who serves in the U.S. Army and currently resides in Germany; his father, Robert J. Branch, Sr.; three brothers; Anthony V. (Teri) Branch Sr., Norman W. Branch, and Prosser D. (Vondrena) Branch; an Aunt, Martha Branch; a loving and devoted fiancé, Portia Hardison; three nieces, three nephews and three great nieces; and a host of other relatives and friends.
We already miss Junnie; his jokes, tall tales, laughter, kindness, cooking, and just being in his presence. He will forever be remembered as an extraordinary family member and friend.
The family will visit with friends at the funeral home on Saturday, May 24 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Funeral Services Sunday, May 25, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. at First Nottoway Baptist Church, Crewe with interment in the church cemetery.
W.E. Hawkes & Son Funeral Home of Blackstone in charge of arrangements.
The family will visit with friends at the funeral home on Saturday, May 24 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Funeral Services Sunday, May 25, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. at First Nottoway Baptist Church, Crewe with interment in the church cemetery.
W.E. Hawkes & Son Funeral Home of Blackstone in charge of arrangements.
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Junnie was born on June 3, 1963 in Richmond, VA. He lived with his family in Crewe VA where his father still resides. He was baptized and joined First Nottoway Baptist Church at an early age. He attended Nottoway public schools and was a graduate of Nottoway Senior High School, Class of 1981.
As a man, Junnie had various forms of employment. The job he loved the most, however, was working for the U.S. Postal Service as a truck driver which gave him the opportunity to travel to different places and make new friends. It was easy for Junnie to make new friends.
His life was rooted in Crewe, Virginia where he returned to live out the later years of his life and enjoy his passions. He loved spending time with his family and friends joking, telling “tall tales”, and laughing. He especially loved his nieces and nephews and they loved Uncle Junnie for the kindness he showed them. Junnie was an exceptional athlete in basketball, baseball and track. For this height, he was arguably the best leaper in Richmond-Nottoway area. In a track competition, he once jumped beyond the long jump pit. He frustrated many an opponent on the basketball court with his jumping ability. In baseball, it was likely he was going to hit the ball out of the park and he had a gifted throwing arm. Junnie was an outstanding cook. He could cook just about any food. He could cook a wild rabbit and you thought you were eating chicken smothered in gravy. He loved to have cookouts and would always be the attending chef. He was so good at cooking that people would often call upon him to cook at their events. Junnie was an avid hunter. He loved training and running his beagles. He named each one and treated them like they were his children. His dogs responded to his love for them by being the best hunting dogs “in the world”, which was evidenced by many successful hunting trips. Junnie loved fishing. He had a quick wit and would be the one that always would say something to keep the fishing party laughing. He would often boast about how many fish he caught and nobody could catch more fish than Junnie. But most of all, he loved doing kind acts even for animals. You could call on him anytime, and if he could assist you he would.
Junnie was preceded in death by his daughter, Robin Branch. He is survived by his son, Ryan R. Peterson, who serves in the U.S. Army and currently resides in Germany; his father, Robert J. Branch, Sr.; three brothers; Anthony V. (Teri) Branch Sr., Norman W. Branch, and Prosser D. (Vondrena) Branch; an Aunt, Martha Branch; a loving and devoted fiancé, Portia Hardison; three nieces, three nephews and three great nieces; and a host of other relatives and friends.
We already miss Junnie; his jokes, tall tales, laughter, kindness, cooking, and just being in his presence. He will forever be remembered as an extraordinary family member and friend.
The family will visit with friends at the funeral home on Saturday, May 24 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Funeral Services Sunday, May 25, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. at First Nottoway Baptist Church, Crewe with interment in the church cemetery.
W.E. Hawkes & Son Funeral Home of Blackstone in charge of arrangements.
The family will visit with friends at the funeral home on Saturday, May 24 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Funeral Services Sunday, May 25, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. at First Nottoway Baptist Church, Crewe with interment in the church cemetery.
W.E. Hawkes & Son Funeral Home of Blackstone in charge of arrangements.
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