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CLAUDIE JULIUS ‘MANNIE’ BRANCH III

Claudie Julius “Mannie” Branch III of Gloucester, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in Riverside Walter Reed Hospital.

He was born in Norfolk, Va., and was a former member of the Abingdon Ruritan Club and Denbigh Lions Club. He attended Frederick Military Academy Prep School.

Mannie enjoyed several professions; his favorites were electrician and owning his own firearms business, The Ammo Box. He was an avid hunter, especially for varmints who damaged our beautiful farm lands. Mannie loved to build and run big trucks in mud bogs. Mannie also loved teaching his self-taught skills to others.

He is survived by his wife, Fredericka S. “Fredi” Branch; his mother, Bobbie G. Branch; his sister, Barbara A. DeLozier and her husband Stephen; his sister, Betsy Arntz and her husband Steven. He is also survived by his wife’s parents, Ernest and Jacqueline Sommer; sisters-in-law, Heidi Hickman and her husband David, Johanna Rawls and her husband Richard, Gretchen C. Sommer; brothers-in-law, Ernest Sommer Jr., William P. Sommer and his wife Cheryl; many nephews and nieces; his constant companion, Gabby, and many other loved ones.

A memorial service was held on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015, at 3 p.m. in Severn Church by the Rev. Bill West. 

Memorial donations may be made to either American Parkinson Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Ave., Staten Island, N.Y. 10305-1424; Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society, P.O. Box 385, Gloucester, Va. 23061, or to Gloucester Volunteer Fire and Rescue, P.O. Box 1417, Gloucester, Va. 23061.

The family wishes to sincerely thank the entire staff of Riverside Walter Reed Hospital, One South, for their genuine care and concern. Many thanks to Susan Emory Cox for her loving care. 

Andrews Funeral Home & Crematory was in charge of arrangements.