Rachael Holland Branch

Rachael Holland Branch, 77, affectionately known as “Nene” passed away on January 27, 2025, at home surrounded by her family.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at First Baptist Church Leesburg. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service at 10:00 AM. Rev David Goodson and Dr. Joshua Posey will officiate. A private burial will be held at Crown Hill Cemetery.

Rachael was born on January 10, 1948, in Albany, GA to the late Ben and Frances Holland. She was a lifelong resident of Albany and graduated from Albany High School in 1966. She married her husband, Russell W. Branch, of Dawson, GA in 1969 and they shared 34 years together until his death in 2003. Together they made their home and raised their three sons in Lee County. She worked for nearly 20 years with Albany Internal Medicine as an Insurance Clerk.

She loved the Lord and was an active member of First Baptist Church Leesburg in Bible study and fellowship with the Senior Adult Ladies Sunday School Class taught by Joy Breeden. She had a love for children and worked for many years teaching Sunday School with her husband and teaching Mission Friends alongside her dear friend, Ruth Goodson.

She loved being outdoors and walking or working in the yard. She could always be spotted deadheading the rose bushes any time she was on the church grounds.

She especially loved being a wife, mother, Nene, daughter, sister and aunt. She will forever be remembered for having a sweet personality and a loving spirit. In Matthew 5:41 Jesus said, “And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with them two.” She could always be counted on to go the second mile with a smile.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Russell W. Branch, a sister, Beverly Holland, and a brother, Ben Holland.

Those left to cherish her memory include her sons, Dave Branch (Marie) of Birmingham, AL, Travis (Karen) of Leesburg, GA, Paul (Tabitha) of Smithville, GA. 7 grandchildren, Emily Isdell, Ryan Branch, Kyle Branch, John Wiley Branch, Mary Branch, Parker Branch and Sarah Holland Branch; a brother, Jerry Holland of Sautee Nacoochee, GA; sister, Rebecca Holland (Bob Lane) of Gainesville, GA; a sister-in-law, Ann Holland of Gainesville, GA; nieces, Laura Holland, Destiny Kuykendall; nephews, Jerry Wright Holland and David Holland; and a whole host of extended family members and friends that loved her dearly.

In lieu of flowers, those desiring may donate in memory of Rachael to First Baptist Church Leesburg c/o Children’s Ministry. www.firstbaptistleesburg.org

Joseph W. Jones Funeral Home was given the honor to serve the Branch family.