Edna Earle Branning

Edna Earle Branning, age 99 passed away peacefully at home with her loving family by her bedside. She was born March 1, 1925 in Neshoba County, MS and enjoyed a rural upbringing. Her childhood was rich in culture often working on her father’s cotton farm alongside the Choctaw Indian community, attending mass with the Choctaw youth and learning much of their language in the process. She is preceded in death by her spouse, William C. Branning and four sons, William Jr. (Billy), Charles, Joseph (Joe), and James. And she is survived by daughter, Marie Muse (Carl) of Maryville, TN, son, John (Johnny) L. Branning (Deborah) of Navarre, FL, and daughter-in-law, Sue Branning of Collinsville, MS.

Surviving grandchildren include Barry Branning, Chris Branning, Bambi Maheu, all of Bailey, MS, Carla Burns of Dayton, Wyoming, William Earl (Billy) Morgan) of Championsgate, FL ,and Don Muse of Ventura, CA, along with ten great grandchildren, seven great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Edna, affectionately known as “Ms. Edna” at work, retired from East MS State Hospital after over twenty-two  years of service with “the respect and love of her fellow employees and the understanding of ‘many  a patient’, past and present.” In her free time she loved growing flowers, maintaining a garden, and playing board games and cards with her family.

Edna attended Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Alcoa, TN and was a member of the hospitality group. Since there is no word for goodbye in Choctaw, Edna may find it appropriate to say, “chi pisa la chike.” Graveside services will be held at Forest Lawn Memory Garden in Meridian, MS on April 12, 2024 at 2 PM.