Christine Hairr Branner

Christine Hairr Branner was born in 1939, one of eight children of Wiley M. Hairr and Viona Capps Hairr. Christine is survived by her son, William A. Branner, III and his lovely wife, Toni Tickel Branner; her beautiful daughters: Victoria Willingham and her husband, David, Patricia Elaine Welch and her husband, Peter Welch, and Rebecca Branner; her brother, Wilbert Hairr and wife, Eleanor, of Stedman; and her “baby” sister, Betty Hauer, of Red Springs. She is preceded in death by her husband, William A. Branner, Jr. ( aka “The Piano Man”) and five other beloved brothers and sisters: Bill, Furman, Herman, Mary Lou, and Nell.

Her parents were poor tenant farmers in eastern North Carolina, so she was raised in a simple and frugal lifestyle. Her childhood was a lot like Dolly Parton’s early years. Her mom sewed her own clothes and quilts and even a coat of many colors for Christine while her dad wore overalls and worked on the farm. Young Christine was not afraid to help out. And old Christine would happily share stories of her hardworking family picking cotton and tobacco before walking the dirt road to school, barefoot, as examples of what diligence and courage can achieve.

Before our tall, dark and handsome father came along she was recognized for her beauty, vocal talent and friendly appeal enough to be sponsored in a local beauty contest. Even though she had to wear an old dress, she won the title of Miss Sampson County. And won their first TV for her parents. She and her brothers formed a band for a while, but she left home for Charlotte at the age of 18 and used her singing talent to get on stage with Loonis McGlohon, a very successful local celebrity jazz musician and songwriter.

She won the 1957 Miss Charlotte Hornet pageant back when the Hornets were a baseball team. And in 1958 she was runner-up in the Miss North Carolina pageant.

She got a job as a receptionist for a local doctor’s office during the day and went to The Elks Club one night, where she met her future husband. The Piano Man.

Christine was always the beauty queen our fortunate father married. The one with the quick smile and even faster laugh. The one who looked equally great in a flowery dress or in old jeans with a shovel. She raised four children, took care of their home and made sure we were all in church. She walked with each of us on our personal faith journeys with encouragement and unconditional love as only a mother can do. Billy was her favorite son, but she loved her three daughters even more.

Christine sang with our father in the Sardis Presbyterian Church choir, frequently proving to him who had the better voice. She signed on with a model agency and made some cash for herself, she said, but then spent it all on us. She and dad bought a share of a Ocean Drive beach condo and enjoyed “SeaView” until they could no longer travel. Once, they went to Las Vegas and met Celine Dion.

She lived in the same home for 52 years surrounding herself with plants and flowers and a vegetable garden with 100 tomato plants. She was a legendary cook, preparing an entire feast for Thanksgiving without any help from scratch and if we close our eyes we can still taste the turkey, and chicken and dumplings and a German chocolate cake somehow made to perfection. She loved to iron and cook and clean. She was not one to sit around, always preferring to stay busy. When dad needed a break from her list of chores he would drag out the power washer and let her have at it.

She loved to shop. To sneak away from dad just long to visit the grocery store and buy all that produce that someone else had picked. And if there was a discount on an item she would enthusiastically help it find its way home with her.

When dementia set in three years ago she became a permanent resident of Sunrise on Providence where she smiled every day at her new friends and caregivers. Our family is grateful to them beyond measure for their care and love, and for their support in our long goodbye to Mom.

Christine “Nana” Branner passed away from dementia at age 87, a grandmother to 10 and a great grandmother to 17. Praise be to God for a life well-lived! We will see you again in Heaven. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations for Voice Lesson Scholarships be given to Colleen LeBleu at The Lumi Foundation School of Musical Theater, 705 International Drive Suite F Charlotte, NC 28270 or contribute at this link: givebutter.com/ChristineBrannerScholarship

Services provided by Tribute and Tallent. Graveside service for family will be at Sharon Memorial Cemetery on Saturday, November 14 at 10:30am followed by a service, celebration and visitation at 11:30am at Tribute and Tallent Funeral Home.