Chester Branum

DEXTER - Chester Branum, 78, died Aug. 9, 2002, at the Beverly Health and Rehab Center in Dexter.

Born May 26, 1924, at Hornersville, son of the late Thomas Jefferson and Alice Hastings Branum, he was a member of Sugar Tree General Baptist Church near Dexter. He had been employed as a custodian at Dexter Senior High School and was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II.

On May 1, 1988, at Dexter, he married Thelma Menley McNeeley who survives of the home.

Other survivors include: two sons, Jerry Branum and Deryl Branum, of Dexter; two stepdaughters; two brothers, Charles Branum and Tommy Branum of Kennett; and three grandchildren and four stepgrandchildren.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Lee Branum, Milt Branum and Willie Branum; and two sisters, Beryl Holmes and Nellie Hanners.

Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter, where services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday. The Rev. Joe Ogelvie and the Rev. Everett Hessling will officiate.

Burial will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.