Three little children, the oldest being 11 years of age, all bright and intelligent, are orphans today. Their mother died Saturday morning at 3 o’clock after fighting tuberculosis. Her fight was a brave and determined one, but her frail little body, worn out through her faithful and loving service to her children, could not successfully withstand the ravages of the dread disease. Her last thoughts were of her children and those who have been her friends in the time of need. “Tell the people of Durham that I appreciate their kindness to me,” was one of her last utterances before the cold hand of death was laid upon her.
Mrs. Effie Branch is the woman who passed to her reward Saturday morning at Sanatorium, N.C. She was entered into that institution several months ago to receive treatment. She entered with the determination to get well but before leaving she bade farewell to her little brood and left them to the tender care and love of the superintendent of the Wright Refuge wherein they had been inmates for many months. Prior to entering the sanatorium she lived on Rigsbee avenue. Friends saw to it that she received medical attention and the necessities of life and after which much hard work, admission into the state sanatorium was granted.
Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock the little children, Adolph, aged 11; Dorothy, aged 6; and Constance, aged 4, will follow the remains of their mother to her last resting place on earth—the burying grounds is the county home. the funeral services will be held at the county home at that hour with Rev. E.A. Stanistreet of the First Baptist church, officiating.
Saturday afternoon W.E. Stanley, county welfare officer who has taken great interest in the case, together with K.U. Bryan, local undertaker, left Durham for Sanatorium, where they received the body of Mrs. Branch and brought it to Durham for burial.
A message was received by Mr. Stanley Saturday night to the effect that Mrs. Branch was dying and that she could not survive the night. Miss Alice Pirie, superintendent of the Wright Refuge, was immediately notified. As the message was received, Alford was sitting close by the telephone with a mouth harp in his hands, playing “Home, Sweet Home.” Little did he realize that to him, “Home, Sweet Home” was something past. Rather than strike sorrow to his heart and to the hearts of his two little sisters, the superintendent refrained from telling him the news. Saturday afternoon, he and his sisters were brought to the city where new clothes were bought for them in order that they might look fresh and neat when they attended their mother’s funeral. They did not know, however, the purpose of the visit to the city and their childish delight expressed when their clothes were purchased made the mission all the more sad. They will be notified of their mother’s death Sunday.
Apon the shoulders of Adolph will fall the responsibility of the future of his sisters. He already feels that responsibility, instilled into his life through the loving admonition of his mother, often repeated, to “take care of sisters while I’m away.” They will be provided for, however. Within a short time they will be entered into the Thomasville orphanage in conformation to the wish of their mother who begged always that the children not be separated. Their futures are bright for they are exceptionally bright children and the teaching of that sainted mother will stick to them to the end of their life’s journey.
From page 2 of the Sunday Morning Herald, Durham, N.C., March 30, 1924. Son's name was spelled Adolph and Alford in story in newspaper.
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