Betty Jean Branum

Betty Jean Branum, 88 of Leachville, widow of Mr. William Franklin “Bill” Branum, Jr., passed from this life Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, at the Green House Cottages of Belle Meade of Paragould. Born in Arbyrd, Mo., she was the daughter of the late Garfield and Zuma Colston Hamilton and had been a Leachville resident since 1990. She was a former employee of the Ely Walker shirt factory formerly of Paragould and was the owner/operator of Branum’s Flowers and Gifts of Leachville for 30 years. She was of the Baptist faith. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert Hamilton and Donald Hamilton, as well as an infant sister.

She is survived by four sons, Daniel Branum (Bill Morgner) of Rancho Mirage, Calif., David Branum of Summerville, S.C., Donald Branum of Rector and Dennis Branum (Candi) of Paragould; two daughters, Cindy Pierce (Gerald) of Arbyrd, Mo., and Vicky Glueck (Roger) of Rector; one brother, Jerry Hamilton, San Antonio, Texas. She also leaves five grandchildren, Johnathan Pierce, Ryan Branum, Caleb Branum, Micah Branum, Devin Branum; and seven great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 22, in the Linwood Cemetery in Paragould with Rev. Mark Wheeler officiating. No visitation has been scheduled. Online guest register is at www.howardfuneralservice.com.