Obituary of Wanda Branney

Wanda L. Branney, 95, passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 14, 2015. She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-eight years, Charles A. Branney, Sr. who died in 1996. She is survived by her four children, Charlotte Swisher Stansberry ( Fred) Charles A. Branney, Jr. (Joyce) Claudette Harrison (Vernon) and Wendy Gail Alke (Larry Lawson). She is also survived by her grandchildren, Jim (Joyce), John, Jeff (Melanie) and Jason (Cathy) Ward, Tracey (James) Geisel, Kellie Jo (Fred) Cunningham and Jason Peter (Olga); her great grandchildren, Megan, Jimmy and Joey Ward, Tommy Garrett, Lauren, Kellie and Justin Geisel, Genna Leigh Cunningham, Jaleah Ward, and Leon and Maxine Peter; as well as her sister, Evelyn Neely; her brother, Ernest John (Lois), and many beloved nieces and nephews, including Doug and Greg Neely, and Sherrie Neely Collins, who took such good care of her while she was still living at home. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her mother, Margaret May (Maggie) John; her grandson, Devon Brian Alke; niece, Deborah Koster; sons-in-law, Roger Brian Alke and Thomas Swisher; and brother-in-law, George Kenneth Neely. Wanda was the consummate homemaker. She loved decorating and keeping a lovely home. She helped design and build the family home where she lived for over forty-five years. She could do anything around her home – she could lay tile, do wiring and generally fix anything that needed to be fixed. She also enjoyed entertaining in her home, but the most important thing to her was her family. There wasn’t anything in the world she wouldn’t do for any one member of her family, including brother or sister, nieces and nephews. Family always came first. After her family was grown, Wanda obtained her professional real estate license and had a successful career as a realtor. She was also actively involved in her community. She was one of the original founders of the Monongalia County Mental Health Association, an active member of the Westover Women's Club for many years, and a member of the Goshen Baptist Church. After her husband's retirement, the two became avid golfers and members of the Pines Country Club where they formed many close friendships. They loved to travel with their friends to different parts of the country on golf outings. They also loved traveling to many parts of the world. They toured Europe for their 50th wedding anniversary and Wanda later traveled to the Orient, a trip that was very special to her. The family wishes to thank the staff and nurses at Sundale Nursing Home for taking such good care of their mother. She loved “holding court” at the nurses station and getting the “good” coffee. Visitation will be held at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown on Friday, January 16, 2015 from 4-8 PM and again on Saturday from 1:00 PM until the time of the funeral service at 1:30 PM with the Pastor Dan Meadows presiding. Christian Burial will follow at Beverly Hills Memorial Gardens. Wanda loved flowers, but for those wishing to honor her memory otherwise, in lieu of flowers, contributions honoring Wanda’s memory may be made to the Goshen Baptist Church Building Fund at 1070 Goshen Road, Morgantown, WV 26508 or to the Sundale Nursing Home in care of Donna Tennant, 800 J. D. Anderson Drive, Morgantown, WV 26505. Send condolences online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com.