Sammy Ned Branch was born on February 4, 1951, to B.W. and Ruth Branch of Meadow, Texas. He ended his 15 month battle with cancer on Friday, July 14, 2017. Sammy was preceded in death by his mother Ruth Branch of Meadow, his sister Mary Ford of Lubbock, and his father B.W. “Dub” Branch of Meadow.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years Linda Branch of Coleman, his sons Shane Branch of Coleman, and Bryan Branch and his wife Vonnie of Louise. He is survived by his sisters Delva Robb of Lubbock and Josie Taggart and her husband Mike Taggart of Lubbock as well as his grandchildren Chelsea Branch of Dallas, Joshua Branch and his wife Krystal of Eastland, Benjamin Branch of Mathis, Cayden Branch of Louise and one great grandchild Annard Branch of Eastland. He also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Sammy was a graduate of Meadow High School in 1970. While growing up in Meadow, Sammy grew up on his father’s cotton farm working many summers in the field. Sammy was a member of the Methodist Church of Meadow and formed many lifelong friends. Sammy was active at Meadow High School where he participated in football, basketball, track, and one act play.
Upon graduation, Sammy attended South Plains Junior College where he met Linda Sue Flatt of Levelland and married on July 9, 1971. Sammy worked his way up what was the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) office in Brownfield, Texas as a field man. Sammy became a County Executive Director in Knox County in 1983 before eventually settling down in Coleman, Texas in 1985. Sammy remained the County Executive Director of the ASCS office in Coleman, now called Farm Service Agency (FSA) until he retired in 2008 with 32 years of service.
Upon retirement, Sammy enjoyed golf as a member of the Coleman Country Club, working on his “ranch”, traveling with his family across the nation, but, most importantly, having a good time with his friends and family. It is these countless memories, stories, and laughs that Sammy cherished most.
Sammy requested that he be taken back to his boyhood home to be laid to rest. A memorial service for Sammy Ned Branch will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 19, 2017, at the Meadow Cemetery in Meadow, Texas. Those wishing to join the family can meet at the First United Methodist Church of Meadow, 603 3rd Street, Meadow, Texas 76345. The procession will leave the church at 10:30 a.m.
