Geraldine “Geri” Branch || Obituary

Geraldine “Geri” Branch, 84, of Sumner departed this life and was united with the Lord in heaven on Feb. 15, 2024. A memorial will be held at Fry-Gibbs Funeral Home on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, at 2 p.m.

Geri was born in Donalsonville, Georgia to Early and Freutrell Danford. Geri lived in Georgia for 8 years before the family moved to Alabama. While in high school in Dothan, Alabama, Geri met her high school sweetheart, Allen Branch. The two were wed on June 29, 1956. The couple had 3 children together and moved to Texas with their family in 1965. They have lived in Sumner for 40 years.

Geri worked as a paraprofessional at Paris ISD for 21 years, until her retirement in 1999. After retirement, she continued to serve her community as a substitute teacher at Paris ISD and North Lamar ISD. She was a beloved teacher and made a lasting, positive impact on her students. She specifically enjoyed teaching many students how to read and utilize the library. Geri enjoyed cooking and baking, and never let her family go without a home-cooked meal. She was a member of Lakeway Baptist Church, in Paris, TX, where she helped with Vacation Bible School for many summers.

Most of all, Geri loved spending time with her family. She always was the most welcoming host and enjoyed throwing birthday parties and celebrations for her children and grandchildren. Christmas was her favorite time of the year, and she always decorated her house most festively. When spending time with her family, Geri liked to play board games and would come up with the best games that the family could enjoy together and share in laughter.

Geri is survived by her husband, Allen Branch; sister, Hilda Glover and her husband Ronny Glover; daughters, Janice Ellis, and Lana Fisher and husband George Fisher; grandchildren, Christie Skidmore and husband Ryan Skidmore, Katie Branch, and Jamie Ellis; her two great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Natalie Skidmore; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Early and Freutrell Danford; and her son, Kelvin Branch.

Instead of flowers, it would be Geri’s wish that donations be made in her memory to the Paris Education Foundation by visiting pariseducationfoundation.org/contribute/. To leave a message or tribute for the family, please visit fry-gibbs.com.