Marion E. “Meg” (Gholston) Branson, 72, Savannah, Missouri, passed away Sunday, October 25, 2020.
She was born October 29, 1947, in Birmingham, Alabama, to Richard and Marion (Starr) Gholston.
Meg was a proud member of the Cherokee Nation and descended from the brave people who helped settle the Cherokee lands in Eastern Oklahoma following their removal on the infamous “Trail of Tears”. She was also the proud granddaughter of Dr. Orange W. Starr, aka “Cherokee Medicine Man”, who delivered an estimated 4,000 babies, whom he dubbed “Starr-Brand Babies”.
Meg grew up in Oklahoma City where she attended Belle Isle Elementary, Taft Junior High, and graduated from Northwest Classen in 1965. She then went on to attend the University of Oklahoma where she received her Bachelor’s degree in History. She was a member of the Chi Omega Sorority where she made many lifelong friends. For the rest of her life, she was a proud and loyal Sooner fan (Boomer Sooner!).
She married Ray “Skip” Branson in 1969, and in 1981 she and her family moved to Midland, Texas, where she was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, the Junior League and was editor of its Tumbleweed Magazine, but, most importantly, she spent her time being a wonderful stay-at-home Mom. When her kids were older, she went back to school and received her Master’s degree in Counseling from the University of Texas-Permian Basin and spent the majority of her career as a Licensed Professional Counselor at the Centers for Children and Families.
Meg was a “people” person, and people were drawn to her incredible sense of humor. Meg was always the life of the party, never met a stranger, happy-go-lucky, and was always running late, an enduring quality we all grew to love! She was also one of the smartest, kindest, most thoughtful and caring women. A doting Mother and GrandMeg and she will be greatly missed by all who were lucky enough to know her. Rest in peace, sweet Meg. Gone too soon but never forgotten. We love you a bushel and a peck!
Meg was preceded in death by her parents; son, Richard Nathan Branson, and brother-in-law, Stewart Colley.
Survivors include her daughter, Meredith (Mark, her favorite son-in-law); grandchildren Luke and Dane; sisters, Kathleen Colley and Starr Baum (Robert); nephews, Richard and Charles Colley; and niece, Elizabeth Walker.
