Mary Brannan

Mary E. Brannan, 94 of Stratford, passed away on Sunday, February 10, 2019. The funeral service will be conducted at 10:30 in the morning on Thursday, February 14, 2019 at The Church of Christ. Interment will follow in the Stratford Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 o'clock until 7 o'clock on Wednesday at the funeral home. Arrangements are entrusted to Morrison Funeral Directors. She was born, Mary Ella Robbins, to James Alvin and Mary Ella Robbins on January 3, 1925. She grew up in Santa Anna, Coleman County, Texas and went to Mozelle High School. She moved to Stratford, Texas during WWII and worked at the courthouse rationing sugar. It was there that she met J.E. Brannan. She issued him his 'sugar' stamp. They married on December 22, 1946. They established their home in Stratford and there they raised their three daughters: Pat, Teresa and Joy. Mary spent many years raising her kids at home before entering the work place. She worked at a children's clothing store owned by the Eller family and subsequently various other shops in town. At the age of 60, Mary and J.E. moved temporarily to Amarillo, Texas so she could attend cosmetology school to train to be a manicurist. Unfortunately, health concerns resulted in the shop's closure. Mary was an active member of the Stratford Church of Christ. She and J.E. were devoted to their church family. She spent much time helping with Vacation Bible School, going to women's classes and special events, as well as cooking for church functions and funerals. She was also a member of the National Library of Poetry where she had a poem published in 'Beneath the Harvest Moon.' Mary and J.E. left their home and moved to Coldwater Manor on October 11, 2013. Mary wrote for the newsletter there and enjoyed the activities and social life Coldwater Manor provided. Mary left this life to be reunited with her Savior, J.E., and many loved ones. She and J.E. both left on their favorite day of the week, Sunday. Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, J.E. Brannan; her parents and all of her 9 siblings; 2 grandsons: John Michael Naylor and Jody Allan Witten; her daughter: Pat J. Lambert and her husband Bob; granddaughter: Mary Catherine Garrison. She is survived by her two daughters: Teresa Rambo and husband Jim of Waco, TX and Joy Naylor and her husband John of Tulsa, OK; 6 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and 10 great great grandchildren.