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Our loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Shirley Elaine (Harmon) Brannan passed away at the age of 95 on May 8th, 2025 in Gainesville, Florida. She battled dementia for the last several years of her life. While the terrible disease took her memories, it was never able to diminish her positive outlook on life or her love for family and friends. Shirley was born to Arthur and Bertha Hamon on February 6th, 1930. She had two sisters and often talked about the good times they had growing up. She graduated from high school in Flint, Michigan. At the age of 20, Shirley married Robert (Bob) Brannan, with whom she shared 52 years of marriage, and together they raised their five children (Daniel, Bethany, David, Darrell, and Susan). Many fond memories were made living on the farm in Kalkaska. There was always abundant work on the farm, like the year Bob decided to plant 3,000 tomatoes, 15 acres of sweet corn, and a couple of acres of potatoes for the roadside vegetable stand. However, with all the hard work, there was still time to go to East Lake and swim in the summer. Shirley and Bob loved to make candy for friends and family at Christmas. They would often start making candy before Thanksgiving, and when they were finished, they would give out over 100 trays of candies as Christmas presents. They wanted to ensure that everyone was included. Shirley has been a member of the First Assembly of God/Greenhouse Church in Gainesville, Florida, since 1978. She enjoyed hosting life groups in her home where friends could share meals and support each other. This was her community. Both Shirley and Bob worked at Bear Archery. When the company moved to Gainesville, Florida, in 1978, they moved too. Shirley worked in the accounts receivable office. Her cheerful voice would often greet people when they called. Shirley loved all people, but especially children. After Bob passed away, she worked part-time caring for the children of families at her church. They helped fill the void of loss by nurturing new life. The tea parties, stories, and time spent with them grew relationships. Those children and their parents were not a job in her mind; they were an adopted family. Later in life, she enjoyed sitting on her porch and watching the birds and butterflies. That was her happy place. Just being outside and seeing the wonders of nature filled her days. It also never hurt if there was a cookie, ice cream, pie, or cake to be eaten while watching her animal friends. While Shirley had many interests, there was no doubt that her faith in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was always paramount. Her strong faith was a source of comfort and peace throughout her life. Her well-worn Bibles with all her notes are a testament to that. Her family is comforted knowing she is finally home in the presence of her Lord, her family, and her friends whom she has longed to see.

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Shirley Elaine Brannan

February 6, 1930 - May 8, 2025