Avonelle Branson

Avonelle Branson, 81, of Shelbyville died Monday, Jan. 29, 2007, at Homeview Center of Franklin in Franklin. Born Sept. 26, 1925, in Addison Township, Shelby County, she was the daughter of Wallace and Vivian (Bird) Theobald. She married Wayne Branson on Oct. 10, 1948, and he survives. Other survivors include one daughter, Mary Lou (husband, Calvin) Stickford of Shelby County; two sisters, Carris (husband, James) Lucas of Knox and Wanda (husband, George) Hohenberger of Thorntown; one brother, Keith (wife, Janice) Theobald of Shelbyville; three grandchildren, Shannon Huffman, Ryan (wife, Dyna) Stickford and Nathan A. Stickford; and two great-grandchildren, Evan Stickford and Miles Pavia. She was preceded in death by her parents. Mrs. Branson lived most of her life in Shelby County. She had been a food services director for Shelbyville Central Schools for 18 years, retiring in 1977. Prior to that, she had worked at the Veterans Hospital on Cold Springs Road in Indianapolis for 2-1/2 years. Mrs. Branson graduated in 1943 from Shelbyville High School and in 1947 from Purdue University, majoring in dietetics. She was a member of Old Union Church, First United Methodist Church and High Hopes Extension Homemakers Club. Mrs. Branson was a gardener and loved flowers. She also enjoyed doing many different forms of needlework. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Freeman Family Funeral Homes, Carmony-Ewing Broadway Chapel, 232 W. Broadway St. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Robert Campbell officiating. Interment will be in Miller Cemetery in Shelby County. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 34 W. Washington St., Shelbyville, IN 46176. Online condolences may be sent to www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.