Earnest Branscum

Earnest 'Dutch' Branscum age 81 of Salado died Friday August 14, 2009 at a Little Rock hospital. He was born July 4, 1928 at Calico Rock, Arkansas to Wilson and Lucy Branscum. He was retired from GDX Automotive in Batesville and was a member of the Salado Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. He was preceded in death by his parents,Wilson and Lucy Branscum; five brothers, Leo Branscum, Cleo Branscum, Rader Branscum, Troy Branscum and Clifford 'Pete' Branscum; two sisters, Mae Defreece Hughes and Lois Goff and an infant daughter, Mary Kathryn Branscum. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Nelda Emerson Branscum of the home; one son, Ronald Branscum of Salado; two grandsons, Alex Branscum of Salado and Andy Branscum and his wife Heidi of Newark; Alex and Andy's mother Judy Branscum of Rosie; two sisters, Lorene Headstream of Salado and Lyn Thomas of Pleasant Plains, several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.Funeral services will begin Tuesday August 18, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at the Salado Baptist Church with Bro. David Wesley and Bro. Charles Crowson officiating. Burial will follow in the Egner Cemetery located near Salado with arrangements by Qualls Batesville Funeral Service of Batesville.Visitation will begin Monday August 17, 2009 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m.Pallbearers will be Alex Branscum, Andy Branscum, Mike Branscum, Leo Branscum, Donnie Emerson and Roger Emerson.Honorary pallbearers are his nephews.