Eugene Brannon

The Reverend EUGENE BRANNON was born on Feb. 7, 1938 to the late John Henry Brannon and Arphelar Page Brannon in Elba, Coffee County, Ala. The Reverend Brannon joined Macedonia Baptist Church and later united with Moody Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church. He married Gertie Marie Barnes on Aug. 5, 1960 in Little Rock, Ark. This union lasted until the death of Mrs. Gertie Brannon and four sons were nurtured and raised, Cecil Earl Brannon, Rodney Clifton Bluford Brannon, Troy Eugene Brannon and Darryl Darnell Brannon. On Sept. 1, 1990, he married Anita Michelle Elliott at Union African Methodist Episcopal Church in Little Rock, Ark. This union was blessed with two children, a son Eugene Elliott Brannon and a daughter Eugenia (Jenny) Michelle Brannon. He graduated from Horace Mann High School, Little Rock, Ark., in May 1956. The Reverend Brannon attended Shorter College in North Little Rock. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Arkansas Baptist College and earned a BS degree. The Reverend Brannon received a Bachelor of Divinity Degree from Jackson Theological Seminary in 1974 and a Master of Ecclesiastical Studies in 1984. He received honorary Doctor of Divinity Degrees from Jackson Theological Seminary and Shorter College. As a layman, the Reverend Brannon served as the President of the local Lay Organization, Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, Trustee and Steward. He was called to the Christian Ministry and was licensed to preach on June 2, 1969. He was ordained a deacon (1970) and an elder (1971). He served as pastor for 24 years before being appointed to the presiding eldership on Oct. 30, 1994. Reverend Brannon's service to the African Methodist Episcopal Church spanned all levels and included being elected as delegate to eight consecutive General Conferences. He served in the United States Army for three years and was honorably discharged (Specialist 5th Class-E5). He worked for the United States Postal Service for 31 years and retired as the Superintendent, Postal Operations, Pine Bluff, Ark. He was a life member of the NAACP. The Reverend Eugene Brannon departed this life on June 20, 2017 in Little Rock, Ark. He leaves to celebrate his life his devoted wife, Mrs. Anita Brannon; four sons; Rodney (Brenda); Troy (Elaine); Darryl (Margaret); and Eugene; one daughter Eugenia. Special sister-in-laws Mrs. Beverly Joyce Barnes Hines, and Mrs. Naomi Berry; nine grandchildren, and a host of great-grandchildren and great great grandchildren as well as other extended family members. He was preceded in death by Cecil Earl Brannon and Karen Brannon Hall. The family will gather to share memories on Sunday, June 25, 2017, 6–7 p.m. at Union African Methodist Episcopal Church, 1825 South Pulaski Street, Little Rock, Ark. The Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, June 26, 2017 at 11 a.m. also at Union A.M.E. Church with The Reverend Chestine Sims officiating, and Bishop Michael L. Mitchell, Presiding Prelate of the 12th Episcopal District, A.M.E. Church delivering the eulogy. Services entrusted to Premier Funeral Home 1518 S. Battery St. Little Rock, Ark. 72202.