C.E. "Shorty" Branch, 83, beloved father, brother and grandfather, of Sanger passed away Tuesday, June 19, 2012 in Denton. He was born July 16, 1928 in Crowell, TX to J.Z. and Bernice Elizabeth Branch. He married Doris Ann Waggoner on November 13, 1948 in Gainesville, TX. She preceded him in death October, 2011. He was a truck driver for Frozen Food Express for 35 years, farmer, rancher and custom harvester.

Visitation will be Thursday, June 21, 2012 from 6 – 8 p.m. at DeBerry Funeral Directors. Funeral service will be Friday, June 22, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. in the chapel of DeBerry Funeral Directors with Rev. Buddy Owens officiating. Burial will follow at Green Valley Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jason Snider, Warren Snider, Joe Weldon Snider, Danny Heath Cogdell, Charlie Branch and Blake Branch. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Mays, James Whitlock, Charles Curtis, Sam Fuller, Marvin Allen, Bebo Chandler, Jeff Spraberry, Charles Erwin, Freddy Lynch, Lendal Patton, Garrett Sheffield, Cody Snider, Dylan Snider, Bo Ellis, Trevor Snider, and Danny Joe Cogdell.

He is survived by daughters, Sue Ann Cogdell and Jody Snider; sister, Suellen Morris; brother, Kenneth Duwayne Branch; daughter-in-law, Beverly Branch; son-in-law, Danny Joe Cogdell; grandchildren, Jason Snider, Danny Heath Cogdell, Warren Snider, Joe Snider, Elizabeth Cogdell Ellis, Charles Edward "Charlie" Branch and Richard Blake Branch; great grandchildren, Garrett Sheffield, Cody Snider, Dylan Snider, Halley Ihrig, Trevor Snider, Megan Ellis, Emily Ellis, Kensey Cogdell, Colton Cogdell, Cash Cogdell, Bode Snider, and Jake Snider. He is preceded in death by his parents, J.Z. and Bernice Branch, wife, Doris Ann Waggoner Branch, son, Charles Weldon "Peewee" Branch, and brother, Truman Branch.