1926-2026
Dorothy Mae Jackson Branch, age 99, was born March 15, 1926, in Dumas, Arkansas. She was the youngest of thirteen siblings born to Pearley Jackson and Georgia Harris Jackson. She was raised in a loving home where family, religion, and education were all important.
Dorothy joined Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Dumas, Arkansas at an early age. While attending school at Mt. Zion, her teacher, Mamie Mitchell, had a vision of her becoming a school teacher. In 1940, Mamie convinced Dorothy’s parents to invest in her future by enrolling her in an institution of higher learning. At the age of 14, Dorothy was enrolled in Morris Booker College in Dermott, Arkansas, where her parents paid her tuition fee of just $10 a month. She was always happy to tell children and anyone who would listen about her fifty-cents weekend and holiday train rides from Dumas to Dermott. While attending Morris Booker, Dorothy became the star of her basketball team. All her teammates called her “Dot.” Mamie’s vision of Dorothy becoming a teacher was overshadowed by Dorothy’s early marriage and motherhood. Dorothy’s early marriage ended, but not before producing two beautiful sons.
Later, as destiny would have it, Dorothy met John West Branch. They were married on June 30, 1946, in Watson, Arkansas where she became a member of St. John AME Church in Watson, Arkansas. To this union, they were blessed with 17 more beautiful children.
Dorothy was very gifted. She was known as one of the best cooks, hairdressers, and seamstresses around. There were times when school teachers would get off the school bus at her house to get their hair done. Dorothy loved working for people and making them happy. She was the best at not just spoiling her grandchildren. but nieces and nephews as well.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her mother, father, and all of her siblings. She was also preceded by her husband, John West Branch, three daughters — Mamie Lee Branch Moragne, Dorothy Ann Branch Rolfe, and Marine Branch, two sons — Chester Lee Perry and Linzey Lee Branch, three great grandsons-Maleek Thomas, Travis J. Branch, and Sincere T. Todd.
She leaves to cherish her memories, ten sons: Malcolm Perry of Roseville, California, John Willie Branch (Paula), Cornelious Branch (Harriette), and Cornovious Gene Branch (Annette) all of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, James Ivra Branch (Charmie) of Menifee, Arkansas, Donald Ray Branch (Alma) and Eisadore Charles Branch of Clarendon, Arkansas, Stanley Owen Branch (Carrie) of Royse City, Texas, Dr. Eddie Lee Branch (Deolinda) of White Hall, Arkansas, and Patrick Branch (Kim) of Hamilton, Ohio, four daughters: Loretta Branch Alexander of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Sana Fay Bryant (Melvin) of Stuttgart, Arkansas, Carolyn Branch of Sherwood, Arkansas, and Madie Marnette Branch Robinson (George) of Addison, Texas. She also leaves thirty -three grandchildren, fifty -four great children, and twenty -one great-great grandchildren
Visitation 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday, February 27, 2026, at Brown Funeral Home-Dumas, in Dumas AR.
Funeral Service will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 28, 2026, at P.B. First Assembly Church of God Pine Bluff, Presiding Elder James Hooper. Interment in Porter Cemetery Watson, AR by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff, AR.
Obituary submitted by the Family.
