Odell Branam

IRA ODELL BRANAM, age 75, of the Dogwood and East Prairie communities, passed away Tuesday, May 12, 2020, at his home in Dogwood.

Born January 6, 1945, in the Barnes Ridge Community, he had lived in East Prairie most of his life and later moved to the Dogwood Community where he raised his family.   For 34 years, he was employed with Bunge at Cairo, IL, until his retirement.  An avid outdoorsman, he loved hunting, fishing and camping, especially hunting squirrel.    He loved his family and worked hard to provide for them.  One of his greatest joys was to have family gatherings and a fish fry with everyone gathered around.    He was of the Baptist Belief.

On October 16, 1967, he married Joyce Brown, who survives of the home.

Also surviving are his children, Tammy Lynn Branam of Matthews, Tonya Rene' (Michael) Marks of Dogwood and David Scott Branam of Sikeston; his brother, Dale Branam of East Prairie; his sisters, Brenda Twenhoffel of Murphysboro, IL and Tammy Branam of Rock Hill, IL; his grandchildren, Bryant Busby, Brooklyne Hutchason, Hannah Linley, Taylor Marks, James Linley and Emmy Lou Marks; his great granddaughter, Winter Blake, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins survive.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Travis Branam and his sister, Carla Branam Jones.

Visitation will be after 4:00 p.m., Friday, May 15, 2020, at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston where funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, May 16, 2020.  Bro. Jack Hendrix, will officiate.

Interment will follow in the Dogwood Cemetery under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston.

Pallbearers will be: Scott Branam, Taylor Marks, Bryant Busby, J.J. Linley, Robert Rayburn and Bill McCutchen.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com