Margaret Shears Branch

Margaret L. Shears Branch gained her heavenly wings when she answered the Father’s call on Saturday, January 7, 2023. Our Heavenly Father in His infinite wisdom dispatched His angels and called His faithful servant home.

Margaret Lorraine Shears was born March 19, 1949, to the late Robert Giles and Margarette Shears. Margaret attended Isle of Wight Training School. She worked for White Castle, West Orange, New Jersey for many years before relocating to Smithfield, Virginia.

Margaret’s employment included Gwaltney Meat Packing Plant, Smithfield, Virginia, Bluebird Knitwear, Hampton, Virginia, and QVC, Suffolk, Virginia. Margaret retired from QVC in 2005 due to health concerns.

Margaret was a faithful member of Brown’s African Methodist Episcopal Church. She served as a Steward, Stewardess, Missionary, Cathedral Choir and Mass Choir member as well as president/treasurer of the Dara Owens Mass Choir. Margaret’s passion was singing. She loved to sing. God gifted Margaret with a beautiful voice, and she used it to bring Him glory. She touched many lives with her gift of singing. Margaret sung with the Whitfield Singers and the B.C. Heritage Choir. While singing with the Whitfield Singers, Margaret appeared on the “Spread a Little Sunshine” broadcast.

Margaret spent time on her iPad enjoying Facebook, coloring and working word-find puzzles. Margaret found great delight in spending time with her family. Every Sunday, she looked forward to her family coming to the house for Sunday dinner. Family was everything to her.

Margaret was preceded in death by her mother Margarette Shears Tyler, father Robert Giles, granddaughter Keira Branch and great grandson/son Kameron Robertson.

She leaves to cherish her memory her husband of forty-eight years Deacon Lloyd. A. Branch, Jr.; daughters Barbara Shears-Walker, Elder Margaret Shivers-Thomas (Sterling), and Deloris Shivers; son Lloyd A. Branch III; grandchildren Latisha Shivers, Courtland Shivers, Arrington Shears-Walker, and Quanisha Barrett; great grandchildren Destiny Shivers, Nikia Robertson, Rakia Robertson, and Melachi Goodman; godson Antonio Tyler; brothers Robert Stuart, Reginald White, Curtis Giles, and Robert Giles, Jr.; aunts Flora Coleman, Thelma Tyler, and Gloria Washington; a devoted uncle, Willie Giles; special cousin/niece Veronica Shears; special friend/sister Paula Majette; sisters-in-law Argerine Cornick (Lionel), Yvonne Eley, and Pamela Jenkins (Michael); brothers-in-law Lee Jones (Clara), Gary Eley (Amy), and Blaine Eley (Debbie) and a host of cousins, relatives, and friends.

 A Celebration of Life Service will be held 12pm Saturday, January 14, 2023 at Brown's AME Church. Viewing will take place on Friday, January 13, 2023 from 3-6pm the Chapel. Please keep the Shears-Branch family in your prayers.