On Feb. 26, 1931, Mother Louise Mathews Branom came into the world, not only to bless her parents, Joseph Mathews and Evelyn Jones Mathews Hadley, but to also be a blessing to the community. She was preceded in death by both parents; Ed Hadley (her stepdad who later raised Joseph’s children); husband, Osby Branom.; son, Larry Mathews; and sister, Vera Mae Mays.
Celebration of life services, with COVID-19 restrictions, will be held at 12 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, in the sanctuary of Greater New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 305 N. 8th Street, Fort Pierce, Fla. Public viewing and visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until service time on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, in the sanctuary of Greater New Bethel M.B. Church, in Fort pierce. Earthly bed of slumber: Sarah's Memorial Garden, in Fort Pierce.
Mother Louise grew up in the Greenville, Fla. community and was educated at Greenville Training School. She accepted Christ in her life and was baptized in the Honey Lake community lake. She also was a childhood friend of Greenville’s native son, Ray Charles before he received worldwide musical acclaim. They played together and she enjoyed pushing him around in his wheelchair. She later relocated to Ft. Pierce and discovered her true purpose in life – doing mission work in the community.
Mother Branom loved to garden, and her greens were proof. She also loved to dress nice and look her best, but she truly loved singing with the Indian River Master Singers, and doing many other things to keep her faith active.
The joy of the Lord was her strength as she fulfilled her mission as a servant leader. She was energetic, resilient, and determined to do the will of the Lord. Mother Branom fed many in the community, opened her home (two bedroom/one bath) to anyone in need, raised children and sold cakes at church to support her mission. She wanted to glorify God by making a difference in the lives of the less fortunate and to leave her footprints in the sands of time to remind others to continue the mission.
Mother Louise Mathews Branom’s mission on earth was completed on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. Although her loved ones’ hearts are heavy, they can celebrate her life and find comfort knowing that she has earned her angel wings and is now resting in the arms of Jesus.
Cherishing her precious memories, life and legacy are her daughters: Debra Branom-Bluntson, of Orlando, Fla.; and Vernita Branom, of McDonough, Ga.; sons: Pastor Frank (Sharon) Mathews, of Alpine, Ala.; and Harold (Yvonne) Branom, of Quincy, Fla.; daughter-in-law, Jestine Mathews, of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; sisters: Naomi Jenkins, of Clearwater, Fla.; Rosa Johnson, of Greenville, Fla.; Josephine Davis, of Clearwater, Fla.; Geraldine Mathews, of Greenville, Fla.; and Jeanette Fall, of Louisville, Ky.; 16 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; eight great-great grandchildren; along with many other sorrowing relatives and loving mission friends.
Final care and compassionate services are being provided to the Branom family, with love, care and uncompromising dignity, by J.P. Moore Mortuary & Cremation Services, Madison, Florida, (850) 973-6677; Jamarien "J.P." Moore, Mortician.