Verna Branscom

Verna Branscom 91, of Queen City passed away Friday morning (September 3, 2021) in Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, Missouri.

The daughter of David William and Elva Hazel (Alexander) McCollum, she was born April 6, 1930 in Mendon, Missouri. She grew up in Chariton County and attended school in Mendon, Missouri.

On September 30, 1944, she was united in marriage to Eldon Leroy Gates. To this marriage four children were born; Verna Lee who passed away in infancy, Kenneth W., Larry G., and Gloria K.

Verna moved to Putnam County in 1963 and then in 1966 she moved to Queen City.

On August 27, 1972, she was married to Wesley Branscom.

Verna worked for Hollister Inc., in Kirksville, Missouri, for twenty-six years retiring in 1992.

She is survived by children, Kenneth W. Gates and wife Loretta of Worthington, MO, Larry G. Gates and wife Glennda of Livonia, MO, and Gloria Fowler and husband Roger F. Sr. of Kirksville, MO; grandchildren, Roger Fowler Jr. of Columbia, MO., Randy Fowler and wife Brenda of Lancaster, MO,  Gina Eagan and husband Danny of Wentzville, MO, Buddy D. Gates and wife Buffi of Livonia, MO, Kenny Gates of Lancaster, MO, Sheila Gates and Tyson March of Queen City,  MO, and Annette Robbins and husband Daniel of Greentop, MO; sixteen great grandchildren, and three great great grandchildren.

Verna was preceded in death by her parents; infant daughter, Verna Lee; and seven brothers and sisters, Cleo Sommerfield, Doris Browning, P.K. McCollum, Dorothy Rants, Donald McCullum, Mary McCollum in infancy, and Fern McCollum; three grandchildren, Angie Maine, Johnny Gates, and Dylan Robbins and one great grandson.

Verna was a member of the Methodist Church in Mendon, Missouri. She was also a member of the Kirksville Moose Lodge.

She loved gardening, flowers, quilting, cooking, and country music, especially Willies Road House.

She also loved her cat ”Fluffy” and really enjoyed the Schuyler County Newspaper.

Mother's hold their children's hands for a while, but their hearts forever.

Graveside service and interment will be held at 11:00 am Monday (September 13, 2021) in the Queen City Cemetery with Sister Robin McCullar officiating.

Arrangements in the care of Dooley Funeral Home, Queen City, MO; www.dooleyfh.com.