Joe Columbus Branham, 86 of Chesapeake, died on February 3, 2021 at Chesapeake Regional Hospital from complications of Covid-19 with his wife and family at his side. He was born on December 21, 1934 in Blount, AL, the son of William Wesley and Elizabeth Evelyn (Griffith) Branham.
Joe joined the National Guard in January 1953 and graduated from Blount County High School, Class of 1953, and after graduation he joined the US Navy in December 1953 where he served on the USS Currituck as a Sea Plane Tender. In July 1955 Joe volunteered for the USS Forrestal CVA59, where he served in the original crew. In August 1955 at the Commissioning of the USS Forrestal he was introduced to Katherine JoAnne McFarland, who he fell in love with at first sight. They married on August 26, 1956, a year later. They have been married for 65 years.
Joe was the founder of Branham Electric Corporation which he started in 1967 and later incorporated in 1970 and was the President of when he incorporated the company. Joe coached boys'' baseball and girls'' softball at B.M. Williams Elementary School with his sons and daughter even after they were grown, he continued coaching and touched many lives while coaching. Joe was an active member of the South Norfolk Masonic Lodge #336 AFandAM, life member of the American Legion, Gideon Intl. and a board member of the Union Mission for many years. Joe was an active member of Deep Creek Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon and Sunday School Superintendent and on many other committees. Joe furnished his electrical knowledge on many Mission Trips with the church, Builders for Christ and Union Mission going across the United States and several foreign countries building churches.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Eleanor Hawkins and sister-in-law, Gerlene Branham of Remlap, AL.
Surviving in addition to his wife, JoAnne are their sons, Randy and his wife, Breena of Suffolk, Rick and his wife, Danna; and daughter, Sheryl Fisher and her husband, Bob of Chesapeake; Five Grandchildren, Courtney Myers and her husband, Kevin, Tyler Branham, Ashley Greenquist and her husband, Jeffrey, Jordan Snyder and his wife, Jamie and Laura Ray. Also, Seven Great-Grandchildren, Emma, Hudson, Ava, Walker, Colten, Addie and Alex. His brother, Kenneth Branham and brother-in-law, Bill Hawkins of Remlap, Al
Friends are invited to pay respects Saturday, February 6, 2021 from 10am-4pm at Graham Funeral Home, 1112 Kempsville Rd. Chesapeake. A graveside service will be held Sunday, February 7, 2021 at 2 pm in Chesapeake Memorial Gardens. Those who wish to remember Joe in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the Gideons Intl., Union Mission, or the Deep Creek Baptist Church Building Fund. Please visit www.grahamfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence to the family.