Mary Sue Revis Branson

Mary Sue Revis Branson went to be with the Lord on November 18, 2017, at Aston Park Health Care Center after a long illness. She was a loving wife, sister, mother, grandmother, mother-in-law and friend who always put the needs of others ahead of herself. Mary was a faithful member of First Baptist Church, Asheville, for over fifty years. Mary was born April 25, 1929, in Jackson County, and grew up in the Barkers Creek community. She was employed as a secretary by the Farmer's Federation early in her career, where she met future husband, Vernon Nathaniel Branson. She later worked for Sears and retired from Gray Realty in Asheville. Mary enjoyed cooking, sewing, and attending school and family reunions. She loved her wide circle of friends and family. Mary had an avid interest in genealogy and over the years corresponded with many members of her extended family, some as far away as Washington State, sharing information and photographs. Mary and Vernon were married in Clayton, GA, on August 20, 1949. Vernon passed away on August 18, 2014, two days before their 65th wedding anniversary. Mary was also preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, George Washington Revis and Sarah Cordelia Nations Revis; her maternal grandparents, James Erastus Buchanan and Darcus Jane Brooks Buchanan; her parents, Jewel Jason Revis and Gertrude Gray Buchanan Revis; sisters, Carolyn Ann Revis Middleton and Stella Revis Dowis; brothers-in-law, Charles Middleton, Jr., Robert Howard Dowis, Jr., Bob Talmadge Parker, John Carroll Rigdon, and James Elmer Sherrill. Mary leaves behind to mourn her loss three sons and their wives and children, Vernon Ronald Branson (Susan Lynette Baldwin) and children Susan Rebecca, MaryClaire and John Graham Branson, all of Franklin, NC; Steven Douglas Branson (Helen LuAnne Riggs) of Asheville and children, Stephanie LuAnne Branson of Mooresville, NC and Jessica Grace Branson Caudill (Nathanial Jerel Caudill) of Virginia; and Gary Gray Branson (Patricia Ann Snipes) of Asheville. Mary is also survived by the following siblings and their spouses, George Washington Revis (Patricia June Bryson), James E. Revis (Betty Jean Carnes), Claude Ray Revis (Joyce Marie Beck), Bobby Joe Revis (Mary Ellen Seagle), Peggy Faye Revis Rigdon (Frank Delano Rigdon), Sara D. Revis Parker, Bonnie J. "Cindy" Revis Rigdon, and Nancy Ruth Revis Sherrill. Mary leaves behind several nieces and nephews and their spouses and children and her best friend and faithful visitor, Mrs. Mariann Wilson. The family expresses heartfelt appreciation for the superior and loving care given to Mary by all her caretakers during her stay at Aston Park, and for their kindness shown to the family during this difficult time. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Tuesday at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Samaritans Purse, (www.SamaritansPurse.org)