Benjamin Franklin Branch, affectionately known as "Ben" or "Uncle Ben", departed this life on June 25, 2025. He was born on March 16, 1941, to the late Annie Williams and Clarence Branch, Sr.

Benjamin was educated through the School for Boys at Hanover, Hanover, VA. Upon returning home, he worked for Chesterfield Public Schools as a maintenance supervisor for over twenty years until he retired.

In his spare time, Ben enjoyed going to the Boom Boom Room, Club 17, fishing, bus rides to the casino and telling his little sister Mary what to do. He really enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

Ben was a people person with a creative personality. He never sugar-coated anything, but he spoke in love and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Along with his parents, Ben was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Virginia Branch, Sharon Branch, Lisa Branch and Lilian Green; brothers, Walter Branch, Walter Williams and Clarence Branch, Jr.; and his granddaughter, Diamond Yaya Branch.

Ben is survived by his daughter, Annie Marie Branch; nine grandchildren, Denise, Victoria, Sharlene, Jermaine, Eliza, Sandra, Precise, Sabian and Cora Branch; sister, Mary Wilson; devoted niece, Evelyn Branch; devoted longtime friend, Evelyn Morgan; devoted friends/crews, Carraige House, Bee's Inn Crew, Black Door Crew, Chester Crew, South Carolina Crew, and his Big House Crew; partner-in-crime, James "Boo-Boo" McCray; and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.

Services will be held 2:00 P.M., Saturday, July 5, 2025, at the Tabernacle Baptist Church Community Life Center, 444 Halifax Street, Petersburg, VA, the Rev. Dr. Robert A. Diggs, Sr., eulogist. The interment to follow at Wilkerson Memorial Cemetery.

J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, watch the funeral services live online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.