Margaret "Billie" Brannon

Age: 89 WidowedCity of Residence: Lebanon, IndianaDate of Death: Thursday, January 15, 2015Place of Death: At Homewood Health Campus in Lebanon Margaret Louise ‘Billie’ Brannon entered her eternal home January 15th, 2015 after nearly four years of suffering from a debilitating stroke and cascading medical conditions. Billie was born September 17, 1925 in Indianapolis to Wilhelmina Louisa Sophia (Lesman) Hopper and Frank Allan Hopper. She was a 1943 graduate of Broad Ripple HS where she set a typing record! She then worked for Ayres Department Store one year and Metropolitan Coal and Oil Co. for seven years. In 1948 Billie married the love of her life, William Tindall ‘Bill’ Brannon at the Central Avenue Methodist Church, Indianapolis. She had met the decorated Army Air Corp veteran upon his return from England during a double date. They moved to South Bend in 1951 after the birth of their first child, William Allen (Smoke), where she became a full time mother and homemaker. In 1953 their second child, Dennis Michael (Mike), was born. The family then permanently relocated to Lebanon in 1955 when Bill became Manager of the local Indiana Bell Telephone Company. And it is in Lebanon that their third child, Craig Louis, was born and they raised their three sons. Dedicated parents, and committed to community involvement, they became members of First United Presbyterian Church where Bill was a Deacon, Elder, and Trustee. Along life’s journey Billie also became and remained an active member for the rest of her life in the Elks, Lebanonette Extension Homemakers Club, Psi Iota Xi, where she was famous (or infamous?) for her geranium sales, and Zonta International. In her later years she attended and supported Truth and Life Church at the Lumiere Resort. Following the sudden death of her husband in 1971, she was employed by First Presbyterian Church as secretary for many years. She then became part-time secretary at Saint Peter Episcopal Church until her stroke. Billie made many fast and enduring friendships that she treasured through the years, and surviving friends have remained incredibly faithful and attentive during her decline. Billie loved all sports, but she probably qualified as a basketball fanatic, proclaiming Oscar Robertson as the greatest of all time and her favorite. (That is until Larry Legend happened along.) She played intermural ball as a schoolgirl, decades before women had the chance to participate in school sports. She enjoyed swimming, bowling, cooking and working in her yard.Billie loved her family more than life, but was predeceased by her parents, her husband, her brothers Allan Wayne and Michael Reece Hopper, and son Craig Louis Brannon. She is survived by Agnes (Mamaw) Hopper, sisters (and also best friends) Mickey (Bob) Fulbright and Cathy (Dennis) Faires, sons William (Darlene) and Dennis (Teresa) Brannon, grandchildren William Jack (Christa), Andrew Joseph, Erika and Colby William Brannon, great grandchildren Haylee (fiancé Derreck), Caleb and Colton Brannon, many beloved nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and Godchild Ashley Swails. Billie’s family deeply appreciates and thanks all the staff of Homewood Heath Campus, Dr. Travis Montgomery, Dr. Crystal Jones and staff of Witham Wound Care, and Dr. Valerie Bruemmer and staff for their dedicated care that far transcended professional courtesy. Visitation is at Myers Chapel of Memories, Tuesday, January 20, 2-6pm with a memorial service immediately following. Online condolences may be made at myersmortuary.com Donations in Billie’s memory may be made to: Boys Town, 200 Flanagan Blvd, Boys Town, NE 68010 (www.boystown.org), Lebanon Boys and Girls Club, Boone County Heart Assoc., or the charity of one’s choice.