Linda was born in Jacksonville, Florida to Pete & Willa Mae Matheson on November 19, 1945. She went to school at Thomas Jefferson and Paxon Jr/Sr High graduating class of 1964. She married Walter Branch better known as Buddy on April 30, 1965 in Jacksonville, Florida. And they were married for 56 wonderful years, she and Buddy had what you would call an epic love story. Linda was affectionately called “Toot Toot” and she called him “Her Buddy”. She was a homemaker when her children were in school and didn't work outside the home until Sandy was a senior in high school (1984), and she worked at Marietta Discount Auto Parts Store and SCI Funeral Homes, until her retirement where she was a full time grandma.
Linda was fondly referred to as "Cook" by many friends, she would always bring her friends a pot of greens, beans or peas and cornbread, or anything else you wanted, she loved making her family and friends happy with food, and her love of feeding the masses is carried on with her children and
grandchildren. She loved her family more than anything in the world, she was the caregiver, the encourager, the confidant, the seamstress, and whatever else her family needed.
Linda is survived by her husband Buddy, her daughters Sandy Culbreth & Holly Branch, her sister Jeannie Linke, brother Pete Matheson, grandson(s), Ben Culbreth & fiancee' Katelyn Gowen, Jackson Culbreth & fiancee' Harley Niedermeyer, and grand daughter Danielle Gourley. Best Friends Ann Yarbrough, Evelyn Walden, Lynn Cason, and Cathy (Punkin) Ross as well as many family and friends.
Linda is preceded in death by her father, Pete Matheson, her mother Willa Mae Ganann, step-father John Ganann, son-in-law Tommy Culbreth, mother-in-law Annie Mae Branch, father-in-law Henry Branch, niece Karley Branch, and brother-in-law Fred Linke.
Pallbearers will be Ben Culbreth, Jackson Culbreth, Max Crabb, Guy
Gourley, Josh Askew, and Randy Wright.
The family of Linda wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the many
wonderful doctors and nurses at St. Vincent's Medical Center Riverside through the years. The nurses, techs and therapists who became more like family than just someone who cared for her. Kelly, Olivia, Emily, Cortina, Whitney, Kylee, Lisa, Kevin, Patricia, Autumn, Sheronda and so many more. Your kindness, love and tenderness will never be forgotten and we love you and owe a debt of gratitude for loving and caring for her.
Visitation for Linda will be Friday, November 12, 2021 at the home of Buddy & Linda Branch 8165 Paschal Street in Jacksonville, FL. 32220 from 6-8 pm.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, November 13, 2021 at 1 pm at Hardage-Giddens Riverside Memorial Park 7242 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville, FL. 32205 with Dr. Eddie Lockamy of Southside Baptist Church, officiating.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgriversidefuneralhome.com for the Branch family.
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