survived by his wife of 64 years, Phyllis Branan, daughter Marie Anderson, Brentwood;
grandsons Watson (Lauren) Anderson, Carrolton Tx; Nolan Anderson, Huntsville Al; Sister
Mary Alice Fanning, Nashville; niece Betty Ann (David) Dowdy, Cordele Ga; cousin Carolyn
Dudley, Lebanon Tn; great-niece Allison (Randy) Parsons, Savannah Ga; and great-nephew
JeWrey Dowdy (Kansas), Greenville, SC.
He was preceded in death by parents Furnie Caswell Branan and Alma Watson Branan,
brother F.C. (Ruby) Branan, and niece Mary Ellen (Billy) Hancock.
He was a loving husband, father, granddad, and friend. Jim graduated from Hillsboro High
School in 1949 and Peabody College in 1953. He was a member of the Navy Reserve and
then spent his entire career with General Motors Acceptance Corporation. He retired as a
Sales and Credit Manager after 38.5 years. After his retirement he continued to work part -
time with GMAC, the Nashville AutoAuction, and the Ryman Auditorium.
He was an active member and former Deacon at Crievewood Baptist Church. He served on
various church committees and took great pride in doing extensive upkeep on the church
property to help keep it in top shape.
Jim also volunteered in the community as a coach for the girls’ softball Green Team (‘The
Green Machine’) at the Crieve Hall Youth Athletic Association for several years. He also
served on local HOA boards of Coach House, Brentwood Pointe, Brentwood Hall and
Stonegate.
Pall Bearers: Joe Graves, Lillard Brown, Charles Hutsell, Sheryl Glover, Ernie Carringer,
Curry Dudley.
Honorary Pall Bearers: Bill Stephens, Keith Howard, Sandra Cecil, Sue Carringer, Carolyn
Dudley, Deacons of Crievewood Baptist Church, Sunday School Class of Bill Stephens.
Visitation will be at Crievewood Baptist Church, 480 Hogan Rd Nashville, TN, on Saturday,
May 11, 2024 from 12-2 pm with the service following at 2:30. Entombment will be held on
Monday, May 13, 2024 at 1 pm at the Woodlawn Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Crievewood Baptist Church
properties fund.
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