Betty Webb Branch, 85, of Riner, passed away Friday, July 12, 2024.
She was born in Gate City, Virginia, the daughter of the late Clyde and Bertie Webb. She was a member of Central United Methodist Church in Radford.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; husband, David “Bear” Carr Branch; daughter, LuAnn Branch; and brothers, Clyde Everette “C.E.” Webb, Jr. and Joe Bill Webb.
Survivors include her sons, Steven Branch and David Branch (Kitty); grandchildren, Nikole (Ryan), Kasey (Eric), Courtney (Calvin), Joshua David (Katherine); great grandchildren, Kane, Lennon, McCall, and Esmé; sister-in-law, Betty Rudd; and many other beloved relatives and friends.
Betty was born October 20, 1938. She spent much of her childhood working on her parents’ tobacco farm. Alongside her brothers, she milked cows, dug up potatoes, and cared for two pet groundhogs.
At 16 years old – indicative of her fiercely independent nature – Betty graduated high school and moved to Radford to attend Radford College. While working toward her teaching degree, she met David Carr. They married in 1957 and enjoyed 47 years of laughter, bridge-playing, entertaining at their home, family trips to Myrtle beach, and supporting each other through all of life’s joys and hardships.
As a young girl and teenager, participating in sports was a refuge for Betty and inspired a lifelong passion for athletics. She was an exceptional basketball player and was invited to join the All-American Red Heads professional women’s team – the longest-running women’s professional franchise in the history of basketball – while she was still in high school. Although her parents thought it best for her to remain at home, Betty continued playing and was known to sink half-court shots with ease well into adulthood.
But Betty’s true sports love was tennis. She played, coached, refereed, spectated, and inspired loved ones and friends to do the same. As a girls’ tennis coach at Radford High School, she helped lead them to multiple state titles and was honored as Timesland Coach of the Year four times. Radford High School immortalized her coaching prowess by inducting her into their first cohort of Hall of Famers. While her competitive spirit contributed to her enjoyment of the sport, what meant even more to Betty were the lifelong friendships that originated on the court and shared experiences and adventures that blossomed from them.
Betty’s endurance on the court mirrored the unending support she selflessly gave to family and friends when they were in need of care. Both her mother-in-law and her own mother lived with Betty and her family when they could no longer live alone, and eventually, Betty lovingly cared for her husband through a battle with lung cancer. These were the big ways in which she took care of others, but Betty also never failed to show up in “smaller” ways. Usually the first one to arrive to help out before an event or gathering, often the last to leave – hands wet from washing dishes, always just a phone call or text message away, Betty cared for others with an open heart, a dollop of spunky sass, and a huge smile on her face.
Perhaps her favorite role was matriarch. Betty exuberantly and tirelessly participated in the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Wherever her family was and whatever her family was doing, she wanted to be right in the middle of it all. And through it all, MeMe/Meems (as she was called by her grands and greats, respectively) made everything more fun, more joyous, more special. On the day that she passed, three of her great-grandchildren visited with her. Betty continually wanted to hug and kiss each one, crying happy tears throughout their last time together.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the care and companionship that Bettina Cox of Senior Home Care provided to Betty over the last few months.
A celebration of Betty’s life will occur today, Saturday, July 20, 2024, at Mullins Funeral Home in Radford. The family will receive friends 2 – 4 p.m., and memorial services will begin at 4 p.m. with Rev. Don Shelor officiating.
Graveside services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to either the Radford High School Booster Club or the Radford High School Tennis Teams.
The Branch family is in the care of the Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford.
