For family researchers and historians, please note that at the time and date of publishing this web site, we are still in the initial stages of researching data pertaining to Mr. Morris Branch (aka; Grandpa). What has been con-
firmed is the following information: The year of his birth was ( 1907 ), and he was born in the City of Macon, Mis-sissippi. The year of his death was in ( 1976 ) while residing in the City of Helena, Arkansas.
Note: All other applicable documentations and historic photographs will be included as our research continues.
~ Who was Mrs. Maggie ( Galvin ) Branch ~
{ Brief Biography }
Mrs. Maggie ( Galvin ) Branch; was considered by
those who loved her to be a Virtuous Women.
She was well known to lead her home with Inter-
grity and Discipline. She was Trustworty, a Hard
Worker, a Planner, Protective, Compassionate
and Unselfish. She strived to be a good Mother,
Grandparent, Sibling, Aunt, Neighbor Home-
maker and Guardian.
Her Positive Personality and Characteristics promp-
ted those who knew her best to proclaim that she
was indeed a Genuine, God Fearing and Virtuous
Woman, who exhibited traits similar to many of
the womans who were mentioned in the Book of
Proverbs 31:1-31.
Timeline
Mrs. Branch was born in the City of Macon, Mis-
sissippi, ( County of Noxubee); on Friday, May 15,
1915; to Mr. and Mrs. Owens.
She also was blessed with several other siblings
from that marriage union. Their names and order
of birth are as follows: Mr. George Galvin, Mr.
Owens Galvin; Mr. Butler Galvin; Mr. Cole Galvin;
Ms. Atlee Galvin; Mrs. Aggie (Galvin) Murphy and
Mrs Emma (Galvin) Davis. The exact dates of thier
births and deaths will be added as our research
continues .
Several years later the entire family unit pulled up
roots and moved north-west from Macon, Missis-
sippi to the City of Helena, Arkansas, ( County of
Phillips ); which borders near the state lines of
Mississippi and Arkansas. Over the years while
residing in the State of Arkansas, both Mr. and
Mrs. Galvin strived to improve the basic quality of
life for their childrens by taking advantage of the
limited and restricted educational opportunities
available.
In addition to seeking such opportunities as was
generally offered in the United States during the
early ( 1900's ), for African Americans in all of the
southern states. Both parents generally worked
as Common Laborers, Share Croppers and Far-
mers on both the Weaver and Solomon Planta-
tions, which was owned and operated by land-
lords who were of European descent or of Je-
wish ancestry. It was during this period of time
while as a very young women, Maggie began to
establish her own family after being united in
Holy Matrimony to her late husband, Mr. Morris
Branch.
It should be noted that both Mr. & Mrs. Branch
continuously trusted in God and believed that
he would not forsake their family through all
trails or tribulations. They remained devout
and faithful Christian believers throughout their
entire lives.
A total of nine ( 9 ) children were born to that
union of whom Maggie was blessed to become
the loving maternal mother of the following
persons: Mr. William Henry Branch (aka.) "Son";
Mrs. Katherine (Branch) Banks; Mrs. Lee Alice
(Branch) Wilson; Mrs. James Ella (Branch) Hud-
son; Ms. May Frances Branch; Mr. J. W. Galvin;
Mr. Jessie Lee Banks; Mrs. Emma Gene (Banks)
Wilson; and Mr. Billy James Banks.
All of her childrens' names are listed in the order
of their births. Mrs. Branch also was the loving
Grandmother and guardian of Mr. Charles Kelley.
Other vital statitics will be documented as our
research continues.
Over the span of several decades while residing
at various places of residence in Helena, Arkan-
sas, Mrs. Branch who was at that time legally
separated from Morris, but continued to maintain
close Ties, relocated the bulk of the family in
1962; to the City of Chicago, Illinois.
While residing in the City of Chicago, Mrs. Branch
continued as a Strong African American Single
Mother to head her home with Gracy and Integrity.
She fulfilled that role until her death of natural
causes on Wednesday, November 25, 1998.
At her departing she then joined in death her Pa-
rents, one of her Daughters, a Son, and several of
her Brothers. She also left to cherish her everlast-
ing memories, numerous loved ones which also at
the time of her death included Thirty ( 30 ) Grand-
childrens' and ( 65 ) Great-Grand Childrens'.
Mrs. Branch's Funeral ( Homegoing ) Service was
held on Friday, December 4, 1998, at 3:00 P.M.,
and the arrangements were entrusted to the care
of the Gatling's Chapel, which was located at: 101-
33 South Halsted Street, Chicago, Illinois 60628.
(Business Office): 1-(733) 881-4111. Elder Miton
Oliver, officiated over the service.
The following were named as Pallbearers:
Mr. Robert Preszley Mr. Antwoine Bradford
Mr. Lorenzo Anderson Mr. Keith Seaton
Mr. Gregory Smith Mr. Cleodis Hicks
The following were named as:
Honorary Pallbearers
Mr. J. W. Galvin Mr. Joe T. Banks
Mr. Charles Kelly Mr. Billy Banks
Mr. Claybourn Davis Mr. Bernard Branch
Mr. Robert Banks Mr. Jeffrey Galvin
Mrs. Maggie Branch's place of Interment was the
Burr Oak Cemetary, located at: 127 th. & Kostner
Avenue; in Alsip, Illinois
