Minnie James Valentine Branner

Minnie James (Jim) Valentine Branner, age 97 of Maryville, Tennessee, passed away peacefully at Kindred Fairpark Nursing Home on Thursday, January 9, 2014. Momma Jim, Aunt Jim, or Miss Jim (as she was affectionately known) was a lifelong member of St. Paul A.M.E .Zion Church in Maryville, where she served in numerous capacities. Her passion was serving others. This was most exhibited through her service in the St. Paul Missionary Society. She personified this as described in Philippians 2:5-7a. Minnie was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin; son, William (Billy); parents, Charles and Beulah Valentine; brothers, Clayton, William (Bill), Walter, Charles, Jr. (Junie), Melvin, Herman, Warren (Buster); sisters, Eleanor and Katherine. Minnie leaves to cherish her memory son, Malcolm (NeVin) of Ellicott City, MD; grandson, Christopher (Katrice) Branner (M.D.) of Charlotte, NC; granddaughter, Jaclyn (Dexter) Conner (Ed.D.) of Toluca Lake, CA; great-grandsons Christian, Casey, and Cameron Branner, Prince Conner; great-granddaughter Goldie Conner; sister, Eunice Marshall of Maryville, TN; brother-in-law Escoe Branner of New York City; sisters-in-law, Annalyn Hatten of Indianapolis, IN; Imogene Alford of Covington, GA; Lobelia Martin of Morristown, TN; and Margaret (James) Branner of Aberdeen, MD; and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. Minnie was blessed to have the following persons as either a devoted friend and/or caregiver, daughter-in-love, Kathy White, Mamie and Pat Porter, Margaret Ann McBath, Ollie Pickles Carr, John Townsend, Dorotricia Hannum, Helen Trent, Perrae Sims, James Blackwell, and the staff at Kindred Fairpark Nursing Home. Home-going celebration will be Saturday, January 18, 2014, at 11:00 am at the McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home, 220 W. Broadway, Maryville, Tennessee. The family will receive friends commencing at 10:30 am at the funeral home. Burial will take place immediately following the service at the Cedar Lawn Cemetery, Alcoa, TN. Viewing will be on Friday, January 17, during the funeral homes normal business hours. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Missionary Society, 401 W. Broadway, Maryville, Tennessee 37801. (Beginning Thursday, January 16, the family will receive friends at the home of Eunice Marshall, 711 W. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN). McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home, Maryville 982-6812 www.mccammonammonsclick.com