Pecola E. Branch

Pecola E. Branch, age 92, passed away peacefully at home in Sebastian, Florida, on October 21, 2025.

Born in Ford City, Pennsylvania, Pecola moved with her parents and three siblings to Buffalo, New York, during the Great Depression. There, she built a life defined by creativity, devotion, and quiet strength.

A full-time homemaker for many years, Pecola began working outside the home when her children were teenagers. She spent six years employed at Hahne’s Department Store—now home to a Starbucks—where she brought her characteristic warmth and attention to detail to every task.

While her children were in school, Pecola was an active member of the PTA. During that time, she co-founded the Hillside School Craft Show, which blossomed into an annual holiday tradition cherished by the community for decades.

Pecola’s artistic spirit shone brightly in all she did. An avid amateur floral and landscape painter, she also loved sewing and embroidery—creating beauty with her hands and imagination. As a young woman, she dreamed of becoming a fashion designer and never lost her appreciation for fine design and the glamour of old Hollywood, especially the elegant costumes of the silver screen stars.

A gifted cook, Pecola delighted in preparing elaborate holiday feasts, filling her home with the aroma of gourmet dishes and the warmth of family gatherings. Music was another of her lifelong joys. She adored jazz and classical music, counting Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Mathis, and Nat “King” Cole among her favorites. A pianist herself, she found special meaning in Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata.

For more than three decades, Pecola was a devoted member of Christ Church, where she served faithfully as a Deaconess and taught Bible study for many years. She hosted one of the largest LIFE Groups in her home where many came for counsel, fellowship, and friendship.

In 2017, she was honored with the title Deaconess Emerita in recognition of her lifetime of service. Her faith and kindness touched countless lives.

Pecola was predeceased by her beloved husband, Frank E. Branch, to whom she was married for nearly 40 years; her brother, Donald Fuller; and her sisters, Jean Hall and Jesse Carter. She is survived by her three daughters and son, as well as several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a host of family and friends who loved her deeply and will miss her profoundly.

Her life was one of quiet artistry, devotion, and grace—an enduring example of love expressed through faith, family, and creativity.

Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.