Everett Milton ‘Milt’ Branum, Jr.
Everett Milton “Milt” Branum, Jr., 76, of St. James, MO, passed away on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at his home.
Everett Milton was born on November 17, 1941 to the late Everett Milton, Sr. and Opal Louise (Champ) Branum in Kennett, MO and grew up on his family farm. He had experience raising soybeans, wheat, some cattle and, as he reminded everyone, picking cotton. Milt could brag that by the age of six, he was driving the tractor around the farm helping with whatever needed to be done. He graduated high school from Senath High, attending Southern Baptist College and the University of Missouri at Columbia. During his banking career, Branum graduated from the prestigious Stonier School of Banking with advanced training in investments, lending, real estate appraisal and credit analysis. Milt was united in marriage to the love of his life, Virginia Noreen Vardell, on January 2, 1960 and they were blessed with three children, Amber Gay, Kerry and Barry.
Milt worked for several different banks over the course of his career and always left them in better shape than what he found them in. The Banks are to include: Bank of Steele, 1st State Bank of Union, Lathrop Bank, New Era Bank (Fredericktown, MO), Bank of Trenton and Trust (Trenton, TN), Century Federal Savings & Loan (Trenton, TN) and RTC. In 1991, Milt was elected president of Bank of Sullivan, a position he held until his retirement in 2011. He remained a board member and Chairman of the Board until he resigned from that in January 2018. Milt was named Chairman Emeritus in January 2018. His legacy of leadership will live on.
Listing all areas of Milt’s community involvement would be just about impossible. He was on boards of Chambers of Commerce, hospitals, saddle clubs, United Way, Rotary Clubs and so many more. Milt was known for not only directing the work of others, but as a worker himself. One could always find him alongside others in the food booths at fairs, dog and kennel shows, downtown events, East Central College culinary events and many other promotions. He was also a member at the Church of Christ in Belle, MO. Milt enjoyed hunting, woodworking, horses and full-time traveling in their RV. He will be missed dearly by his family, friends and community.
Milt is survived by his wife, Ginny Branum of St. James, MO; two sons, Kerry Dean Branum (wife, Linda) of St. James, MO and Barry Milton Branum (wife, Helen) of Humboldt, TN; six grandchildren, Justin Branum of Nashville, TN; Brittany King (husband, Ben) of Henderson, TN; Emily Paunovic (husband, Marco) of St. Charles, MO; Abigail Hoopes (husband, Jacob) of Kansas City, MO; Haley Branum of Humboldt, TN; Joe Branum of Humboldt, TN; one sister, Barbara Branum Lynn of Holcomb, MO; other relatives and many friends.
Milt was preceded in death by his parents, Everett Milton, Sr. and Opal Louise (Champ) Branum and one daughter, Amber Gay Branum.
Funeral Services were conducted 3:30 p.m., Thursday, February 22, 2018 at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan with Pastor Harold Harrison officiating. Graveside services were conducted 2 p.m., Friday, February 23, 2018 at Dunklin Memorial Gardens in Kennett, MO with Pastor Nolan Glover officiating.
Visitation was held from 4-8 p.m., Thursday, at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan.
Memorial Contributions to: Alternative Hospice, Cuba, MO.
Friends may send online condolences to the family of Mr. Branum at www.eatonfuneralhome.com.
All arrangements were under the care of the Eaton Funeral Home – Sullivan and Bourbon, MO.