Funeral services for Ira Thomas Branham, age 85, were held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 15, 2008, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Ridgeway Ward, conducted by Brother Tony Ashworth. Burial followed in Centerville Cemetery. The family did receive friends on Thursday evening at Pope Funeral Home in Winnsboro.

Mr. Branham died on Wednesday, February 13, 2008. Son of the late Ernest and Minnie Belle Trapp Branham, he was born June 5, 1922, in Fairfield County. He served in the US Air Force for twelve years and was retired from Whirlpool where he worked as a machinist for twenty years. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Ridgeway Ward.

Mr. Branham is survived by his wife Leeperlis Branham; three sons, Jimmy Smith and his wife Violet of Lugoff, Robert “Tiny Bob” Smith and his wife Robin of Ridgeway, and Jerry Smith and his wife Pam of Elgin; one daughter, Emily Branham and her husband Wallace of Elgin; one sister, Lottie Peake of Elgin; thirteen grandchildren, Don, Sherry (“Sackie”), Amber, Robbie, Roddney, Jerry, Chris, Haley, Wally, Tracey, Stacey, Cassey, and Mandy; and sixteen great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Betty Mae Medlin Branham; two brothers, Lawrence and Clarence Branham; one sister, Ethel Kelly; and one grandchild, Ray Smith.

Pope Funeral Home of Winnsboro is serving the Branham family.