Beth Marie Branson

Born in Pasadena, Texas on December 14, 1953, Beth graduated from Sam Rayburn High School in 1972 and attended San Jacinto College while working at First Pasadena State Bank. She was married to James Richard “Dick” Branson on August 17, 1974.

Beth worked as a bank teller at Ridgley State Bank for three years while Dick attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and later as a preschool teacher at First Baptist Church in Lake Charles and as a teacher and administrator at London Bridge Baptist Preschool in Virginia Beach, Virginia. After returning to Pasadena in 2006, Beth served as a dental assistant to Dr. Terry O. Bland until shortly before her death.

Beth was a member of the First Baptist Church in Pasadena, Texas and possessed a unique passion for encouraging, mentoring, and lifting up everyone she met to be the best they could possibly be. Beth's children and many precious friends brought tremendous joy to her life. She loved being a mother, wife and friend. . Loving life, loving people, and giving defined Beth's life and character.

She is survived by her mother, Margaret Abshire, her husband, James Richard Branson, her sons, James Daniel Branson, and Michael Aaron Branson, and was preceded in death by her father, O. J. Abshire Sr., her sister, Patricia Bland, and her brother, O. J. Abshire Jr.