My Dearest Son  / Dolores Branham (Mom)
How we all miss you!  You were always such a good boy from infancy up.  Always thoughtful and caring.  You studied hard at school and had a wonderful personality and were the president of the FFA and National Honor Society.  Your college days were short but you wanted God first in your life.  Dad and I had many joys being with you, Darlene, and your children.  Your love will remain in our hearts throughout our lives and for the generations of your offsprings.  Also, all those who are tied by the ties of nature and all your brethren, friends miss you and love you.

Love,

Mom Close

what a wonderful remembrance  / Megan Hess (Funeral Director )
Dear Darlene,
I am so thankful that Shawn called me this morning to share with me this site and website to memorialize Mark.  What a wonderful remembrance to a remarkable man.  My heart is still with you and I will keep you in my prayers.

Megan Hess
Montrose Valley Funeral Home Close

Last note from Mark.  / Darlene Branham (wife)
Mark wrote me love notes often thoughout our marriage.  The last little note I recieved from him was just two days before he passed away.

     Dear Darlene,
          I had a bad night, not much sleep but I dreamed I heard
     your voice.  It was so sweet, soft, and kind.  Thanks for
     marrying me and loving me.
                                           Your Lucky Husband,
                                                    Mark                  Close

Letter To My Dad - January 22, 2006  / Shawn Branham (Son)

     I'm thinking of you today, as I have for the last two hundered and ninety days.  You'll never know how much we've missed you and how difficult it has been to make it through each day without you.  Your life is such an example to so many and I stand proud today knowing that you were, and will always be my dad.  Thank you for all that you've taught me and for always being there when I needed you.  I want to apologize for the times that I was to busy to be there for you.  In my heart, I know that you know how much I love you and try to live each day without regrets.
     You taught me so many valuable lessons and I'm thankful for each and every one.  Thanks for teaching me: the importance of being a hard worker, always trying to be honest, esteem others higher than yourself, being kind to all that you come in contact with, cherish those that are close to you and most importantly to serve God with all your heart, soul and mind.  You also taught me to always look to God and to never stop trusting Him.  I'm confident that this alone is the only thing that has seen us through.
     Creating this web-site has reminded me of all the lives you've touched and all the good deeds that you've done for others.  You were always concerned about others and spent your life looking for opportunities to express your love and concern to them.  So many love you and honor you today.  My hope is that I can continue your good deeds so that others can see you in me.  I love you and long for the day when we can be together again, where God will wipe away all tears from our eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.  Thanks again for being a wonderful dad and example to me.  I love you and miss you more than you'll ever know.

Love,
Your Son,
Shawn Alan   

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The Reunion Heart  / Darlene Branham (wife)
Since Heaven has become your home
I sometimes feel I'm so alone;
and though we are now far apart
you hold a big piece of my heart.

I never knew how much I'd grieve
when it was time for you to leave,
or just how much my heart would ache
from that one fragment you would take.

God lets this tender hole remain
reminding me we'll meet again,
and one day all the pain will cease
when He restores this missing piece.

He'll turn to joy my every tear,
and when I wear this necklace near
it will become my simple way
to treasure our reunion day. Close

Broken Chain  / Darlene Branham (wife)
I knew little that morning that God was going to call your name.
In life I loved you dearly, in death I do the same.
It broke my heart to lose you, you did not go alone;
for part of me went with you, the day God called you home.
You left me peaceful memories, your love is still my guide;
and though I cannot see you, you are always by my side.
Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same;
but as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again. Close

poem.....by Rhonda Jones  / Darlene Branham (wife)
I knew a man in this life,
Who didn't just live, but thrive
He seemed to have an aura
That made him vibrant....alive--

So alive, and so aware
So touchable and so real
So genuine and so pure
Irreplaceable---we feel

Eyes of kindness radiated,
Comforting, willing to be
Whatever help was needed
Enabling your worries to flee

Hours spent in listening
Never distracted or rushed
Your words he took to heart
And your turmoil, he hushed

He laughed with a relish
Loving the opportunity to smile
Celebrated small moments
A memory every mile

Encouraging and inspiring
Heroic and yet humble
Unfaltering and yet touchable
A helping hand, when you stumbled.

When he spoke you listened
Because his words were not in vain
They came from a heart of compassion
That truly understood the meaning of pain

He understood because he KNEW
With pain he walked many miles.....
Disappointment etched its scares
But he was encouraging, all the while.

He understood because he LISTENED
How I know this to be true
Eyes supportive and compassionate
For all the trouble befalling you.

Compassion is a gift so rare
To know it's deepest meaning
And Mark personified every aspect
He lived and breathed a gleaning

Compassion doesn't only care,
But feels complete and through
All the sorrow and all the woe
The JOYS and triumphs too!!

And how he laughed
And how he played
Wholehearted.......
So unafraid.......

How he held the grandbabies,
From the moment of their birth
No doubt they were perfect
The greatest on this Earth.

And to hear him tell the stories
As each began to grow....
The sparkle in his eyes--
Pride--and he let it show.

No one was left behind
Unimportant did not exist
Recognized for your strengths
Everyone was on his list.....

So many moments I needed
The sound of his voice in song
Melodic, soulful and charming,
To my heart--a balm.

Recall his cadence in prayer...
We hushed to take it in
Never forced or faltering
Genuine, again and again....

Giving, giving, giving
And always had more to share
Loving, loving, loving,
And always had more to care....

My words come from watching,
And reflecting on what I knew
But the ones who lived his presence
With them is where he grew.

With them he shared his days
The good along with the sad
With them he shared his loving
They were the ones who called him DAD.

With one he shared his life
His dreams, hopes and fears,
With one he shared his secrets
Only one he held this dear.

And with a few he shared his antics
His special tricks they saw....
With these dear, precious angels
Who idolized their Grandpa.

I weep for them, I do
And yet I sit amazed
That one person in this world
Had so many roles to play.

Mentor....
Confidante....
Brother
And Friend...

Minister.....
Son...
Father..
And Friend...

Carpenter.....
Companion...
Teacher...
And Friend...

Counselor.......
Forgiver.
Tutor...
And Friend....

Christian.....
Servant....
Partner....
And Friend...

Supporter....
Leader....
Advocate.
And Friend.

And Friend....
And Friend....
And Friend....
And Friend....

poem written by a dear friend, Rhonda Jones
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I Will Never Understand.....by Chase Branham  / Darlene Branham (wife)
I will never understand the mind of God
and events that come our way
the vacant stare of a childless mother
and just what happened that day

The way silence can hit you when you walk through the door
nothing but low voices and whispers
the broken eyes of a premature widow
remembering the way that he kissed her

how in the same house, same day,same hour
healing laughter can be shared
with defeated sobs and bitter tears
where once dwelled happiness and care

the almost-visible shroud
that settles above a mourning family's home
the way the heaven's grow dark and violent
when a soldier's hour has come

the irony of a full driveway,
full kitchen, house, and street
the overabundance of food and drink
when nobody wants to eat

the way my mind still can not believe
that what is done is done,
the jagged shards of reality
are too large to be absorbed all in one

but most of all I can't understand
what must have gone through his mind
what a terrible torment could move a rock
to leave his life behind

I don't know if I can express
the feeling of knowing he's gone
I do know there's sunshine above the clouds
and with Jesus Christ we'll fight on.

poem written by Mark's nephew, Chase Branham, the day Mark passed away. Close