Richard Alexander "Ray" Branch

OXFORD- Richard Alexander “Ray” Branch, 82, of Whispering Pines Lane, died Monday, October 19, 2026 at Rex Hospital. Born November 22, 1943 in Vance County, he was the son of the late Hazel Pegram Branch and Richard Pentley Branch. Ray was the owner and operator of Branch Exterminating Company and a member of Victory Baptist Church.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 22, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. at Gospel Independent Baptist Church by Rev. Robert Greene. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Ray is survived by his wife of 62 years, Edith Reams Branch of the home; his daughter, Terry Marie Branch of Oxford; three grandchildren, Drew Hissong, AmyJo Ramsey (Jimmy) and Benjamin Branch (Morgan); two great grandchildren, Easton Ramsey and Scottie Ramsey; his brother, Steve Willard Branch of Oxford; and several nieces and nephews.

Serving as pallbearers will be Drew Hissong, Benjamin Branch, Jimmy Ramsey, Joshua Matthews, Ritchie White, II and Shawn Pegram.

The family will receive friends prior to the service on Thursday beginning at 1:00 P.M. at Gospel Independent Baptist Church; and at other times at the home of his granddaughter AmyJo Ramsey, 149 Whispering Pines Lane, Oxford, NC 27565.