Julia Brannon, 71, of Talihina, passed away Friday, Jan. 24, 2003, at Fort Smith. She was born July 4, 1931 at Brooklyn, N.Y. to Luis Gonzales and Julia Alvarado. She was married to Lonnie Brannon on Feb. 20, 1954. She served as a Girl Scout leader for 35 years. She loved to travel, loved making quilts, sewing, crafts and painting. She was a beloved wife and mother who was always proud of her children. When they were growing up she was always involved at school and with the PTA. She was a member of the Sew & Sew Club and she was a devout Catholic.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Marie Grippenburg; and one grandson, Jared Taylor.
Survivors include her husband of the home; four daughters, Debra Meredith of Alma, Ark., Karen and Paul Huerta of Apple Valley, Calif., Cynthia Gappmayer of Panama and Darlene and Willie Wilson of Vernal, Utah; 12 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one brother, Arthur Contreras of Morris Plains, N.J.; three sisters, Anna and Don Wells of Fort Smith, Gloria Martino of Staton Island, N.Y. and Terry Lockhart of Belleville, N.J.; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins; and a host of friends.
Rosary services were held at 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26 at the Talihina Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral mass was held at 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27 at the St. Catherine's of Sienna Catholic Church in Talihina with Father Thomas Melton officiating. Burial followed at
Old Talihina Cemetery under the direction of Talihina Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were Willie Wilson, Jerry Meredith, Charles Newell, Dennis Palmer, Kaleb Meredith and Nathan Taylor.
