Montez Lafaye Wilder Branch

On Monday, February 19, 2024, our beloved Mother died at her home surrounded by her children.

She graduated from Ouachita Parish High School in 1951 and soon married the love of her life, Bob Branch. She was employed at Ford, Bacon and Davis before she became a stay-at- home Mom. During the 1960s, like millions of other women, she reentered the workforce beginning at Southwest Gas and later at Olinkraft, Inc., where she worked until her retirement.

She was an avid golfer and member of the Louisiana Ladies Golf Association, Highland Park Country Club and Calvert Crossing.

As a life-long member of First United Methodist Church, West Monroe, she sang in the choir and was involved in other numerous activities.

She was a founding member of the Cultura Book Club and served in various leadership roles.

Her culinary skills were known to many, and her tin of holiday divinity was prized by all who were fortunate enough to receive one.

She also loved playing Mexican train dominoes, playing the piano and she was a long-time season ticket holder and vocal supporter of West Monroe High School football.

Most of all, she was the glue that held her family together with compassion, self-sacrifice and unconditional love.

Eternal thanks to Kay Wilcken and Tanya Deloach who were her faithful caretakers during this challenging time. We are grateful for their priceless devotion to her.

Sue Ellen was her greatest advocate. She worked tirelessly to make certain that she received the best possible care. Because of her eforts, Mother lived her last years in the familiar surroundings of her home.

She was preceded in death by her parents, W.D. and Sudie Wilder; her husband of 52 years, Bob L. Branch; and her granddaughter, Krystal Lynn Bagwell.

Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Steven Branch, Lake Charles, LA; daughters Terri Kivett (Tad), Baton Rouge, LA; Sue Ellen Bagwell (Coleman) and Marcia Bagwell (Rodger), Lafayette, LA; grandson Lance Bagwell (Tiffany), great-grandson, Baylin and Lance’s stepdaughter McKenzie Summers, Lafayette, LA; granddaughters McKensey Tuminello (Brandon) and great-granddaughter Theo Rose Tuminello, Lafayette, LA and Chelsea Moseley (Joseph III) and great-grandchildren Margo and Joseph IV, Houston, TX.

A celebration of her wonderful life will be held at 2:00 P.M., Friday, February 23, 2024, at Mulhearn Funeral Home Chapel, 300 McMillin Rd, West Monroe, LA, with Rev. Jon Tellifero officiating. Interment will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Calhoun, LA. Visitation will be held from 12:00 P.M. until the time of service on Friday. 

Pallbearers are Baylin Bagwell, Coleman Bagwell, Lance Bagwell, Rodger Bagwell, Tad Kivett and Brandon Tuminello.