Lawrence Gilbert “Gib” Branson passed away at the age of 95, Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at his home in Owensville.
He was born March 6, 1929, to Thomas Lewis and Mary Alda (Spurgeon) Branson on the family farm on Republican Road in rural Bland.
Gib married Mary Story of Gerald, Dec. 1, 1951, at First Baptist Church of Owensville, to which one son was born of this union. They owned a rural piece of ground on Highway 28 west of Owensville and moved into the home they built on that ground in 1954. They watched the town grow around them including the very first paving of Highway 28.
Gib and Mary were entrepreneurs. Mary had her hair salon and Gib operated a shoe repair shop out of his garage. For many years after retiring in 2001, the public continued to come to the house and ask if the “shoe man” could repair their shoes.
Gib loved the Lord and was a member of First Baptist Church of Owensville. Gib and Mary attended church with their family regularly until Gib decided to stay home, because he was unable to walk unassisted. Gib served his country in the U.S. Army. In his youth, he worked in the local shoe factories. This is where he and Mary met.
Their son, Curtis, passed away in 2019. Gib was also preceded in death by parents, Thomas and Mary; sisters, Dorothy and Pauline; and brothers, Victor and Cecil Vance.
He is survived by wife, Mary of their home; daughter-in-law, Jodie Branson of Owensville; grandsons, Christopher (Catherine) Branson, Danny (Megan) Branson, and Paul (Ashley) Baldwin all of Owensville; great-grandchildren, Gus, Coraline, Max, Maggie, Anna, and Haley; step-great-grandchildren, Damien and Jack; sisters-in-law, Lucy Branson of Vienna, and Betty Branson of Owensville, formerly of Jefferson City; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Gib was a great husband, father, and grandpa.
Funeral services were held Sunday, April 14, at Gottenstroeter Funeral Home Chapel in Owensville, with Rev. Kevin Sullivan officiating. Burial was at Countryside Memorial Gardens in Owensville with full military honors.
