Mary O'Neal Branch Bourne

Mary O’Neal Branch Bourne, 94, died September 16, 2011 at Raleigh’s Springmoor Retirement Community where she had resided for the past 16 years. Mary O’Neal was born in Norwood, NC on February 8, 1917, moved to Raleigh as a small child, and was a member of the first graduating class at Broughton High School. She attended college at NC State and Birmingham Southern, and held a degree in Education. After raising three children, she taught kindergarten for many years. She was active in the Daughters of the American Revolution, enjoyed researching her family’s genealogy, and was a long-time member of Fairmont United Methodist Church.

She was predeceased by her husband, Robert Gordon Bruce Bourne; her sister, Jacquelyn Branch Burrage of Concord; and one granddaughter. She is survived by her three children, Mary O’Neal Bourne Schipp of Batavia, IL, Robert Branch Bourne (Teresa) of Rutherfordton, NC, and Emma Geraldine Bourne Stamm (John) of Poulsbo, WA; six grandchildren, and thirteen great grandchildren.

Following a private family burial service, a memorial service will be held at Springmoor at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 21, 2011 with a reception afterward.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Springmoor Endowment Fund and Fairmont United Methodist Church.

Condolences may be sent through www.brownwynne.com.