Freestone County, Texas
Obituaries



The Teague Chronicle - November 17, 2011 edition

EVELYN JAYNNE MILLENDER MABRY BRANCH

A funeral service for Evelyn Jaynne Millender Mabry Branch was held at The 
First Baptist Church, Teague on November 4, 2011, followed by interment in the 
family plot at Greenwood Cemetery. A luncheon and reception following 
internment was held for family and friends at The First Baptist Church Life 
Center.

Evelyn Jaynne was born on June 1, 1921, in Teague, Texas, to Mable Emma Long 
and Joe Clyde Millender, Sr. She graduated from Teague High School in 1939 and
attended the University of Texas at Arlington (NTAC). She was an accomplished 
drum major, winning the United States Baton Twirling Championship and led the 
Macy's parade in New York City. Jaynne married her first husband, Charles 
LeRoy Mabry, Sr. in Dallas, TX, where they lived until his demise in 1982. 
She then moved to Teague, TX, met and married the love of her life, West 
Moreland Branch. West and Jaynne honeymooned in Hawaii and were blessed with 
twelve glorious years of happiness together, becoming a beloved familiar 
couple at all social functions in Freestone County. Jaynne devoted herself to 
her family and community, fulfilling the Christian teachings to feed the poor,
visit the sick and bury the dead. She was active in Holy Trinity Catholic 
Church, Dallas, TX, Ursuline Academy, Dallas, TX, St. Marks School of Texas, 
The First Baptist Church and The Methodist Church in Teague, TX. Jaynne 
believed that God was present in all churches no matter which one was attended.
She founded Meals-on-Wheels in Dallas, TX, was a former president of The 
Dallas Woman's Forum, The Government of Science Study Club, The Altar Society,
The Ladies' Auxiliary, a Cub Scout Den Mother, a Camp Fire Girl Leader, and 
held offices in many other organizations too numerous to name. She was a member
of The Daughters of the Confederacy, The Daughters of the American Revolution, 
The Daughters of Texas, The Teague Historical Preservation Society, the 
Freestone County Genealogy Society and the Railroad Association of Freestone 
County. Our beautiful "Princess Royale,” departed this life at 12:30 pm on 
November 1, 2011, to abide forevermore in heaven. Jaynne touched many hearts 
and helped many people during her lifetime. She will be greatly missed.

Jaynne was preceded in death by her parents, her baby brother, her first
husband, Charles LeRoy Mabry, Sr., her siblings: Cleo Catherine Millender 
Sawyer, Mary Mazine Millender Geppert, and Mable Josephone Millender Murphy.

She is survived by her husband, West Moreland Branch, her brother, Joe Clyde 
Millender, Jr. and wife, Jackie Norris; her children: Yolonda Jannette Mabry, 
Dorinda Annette Mabry, Charles LeRoy Mabry, II and wife, Mary Miller; 
grandchildren: Helen Catherine Mabry Byars, and husband, Andrew Byars; Charles
LeRoy Mabry, III, Laura Elizabeth Nolan, Matthew Zachary Nolan; and great 
granddaughter, Adrienne Brynne Mabry Byars.

Pallbearers were: Charles Mabry III, Joe Clyde Millender III, Randy Millender,
Matthew Zachary Nolan, Chick Williams and Justin Bounds.