Letha Nichols Branum

Letha Nichols Branum
A shining example of strength, tenacity and generosity
February 22, 1922—September 24, 2008 Letha ‘June' Uella Nichols Branum left this world to join her Heavenly Father on September 24, 2008 at 2:10pm. Letha was born to parents Ocie Elsie ‘Mumma' and Rueben Clayton Nichols on February 22, 1922 on the family homestead in Beaver County, Oklahoma. In addition to her beloved parents, Letha was welcomed and ushered into heaven's comforting embrace by her husband John Branum, her granddaughter Susan Rue Leigh Metcalf, her stepsons John Branum Junior, and Robert ‘Bobby' Branum, her brothers and sisters; Helen Turner, Emmett ‘Pete' Nichols, Gladys Brookes, Lillian Neilson, and William R. Nichols. There are also many beloved nieces, nephews, grandchildren and friends whom we are certain greeted her as she entered into her eternal dwelling place. Letha is survived by her sister Ruth A. Nichols, daughter Deanna ‘ Dee ' Metcalf and husband Sonny Metcalf, her grandchild David A. Metcalf and wife Julie A. Metcalf, her grandchild Rona M. Davis and husband Joshua Davis and their three children TeaLisa, Kyla, and Jaidon Davis. Letha was also blessed with and survived by her stepchildren and their families; Sandra Homer, Patricia Owens, Laurence ‘Buster' Branum, and Loretta Branum. Letha never knew an idle day nor a stranger. She had a pioneering spirit that was truly an inspiration to behold and she was certainly a woman ahead of her time. Letha could proudly drive a semi-truck ‘as good as any man' and was a single working mother long before such a thing was common place in society. For a time, she farmed in Dove Creek, Colorado, where she diligently harvested pinto beans and for a number of years worked for a produce company in Las Vegas, Nevada, which went on to become a world wide distributor of produce. In addition to her resounding accomplishments in being a devoted wife, a caring mother, doting grandmother and a fierce friend, she never failed to reach out to the needy and succeeded in making a difference in the lives of everyone she met. During the Great Depression, subsequent recessions and ‘just plain ‘ole hard times', whenever she heard of or saw a family in need she shared her provisions and her time, whether great or small, often neglecting her own needs to benefit another. Once, she was asked about her benevolence. She straightforwardly replied, "Well, I tried." Letha not only tried, she succeeded…and she succeeded in doing as so many of us long to do in our lifetimes, but never fully accomplish…Letha left her mark upon this world, and she will be remembered. We will dearly miss her vivacious spirit, her timeless beauty, and her indomitable strength. Letha's family would like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts, generous prayers and overwhelming generosity during Letha's long and arduous battle with C.O.P.D. and later lung cancer. We send a very special acknowledgement of gratitude to Letha's devoted and loving caregivers; Dorothy Carley, Kathy Ivy, Francine Kiefert, Katherine Cordova, Susan McCann, Ruth Bengfort, and all who worked so tirelessly and selflessly in ensuring Letha's last years upon this earth were full of love, laughter, and comfort and all of which was overseen and aided by her ever present loving daughter Dee. We would also like to thank Dr. Edward Kompare, Dr. Clifford Clark, Basin Home Heath Group, Basin Hospice and Susie Matlock for their kind and loving care and for their admirable assistance. Pallbearers will be Sonny Metcalf, Joshua Davis, J. Reid Anderson, Steve Florez and Luke Florez. Honorary Pallbearers will be John Homer, Bill Nichols, and David Metcalf. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that everyone so inclined perform a random act of kindness, in Letha's memory. Donations may also be made to the wonderful people at Basin Hospice 200 N. Orchard in Farmington. All arrangements are being handled by the kind and compassionate staff of Brewer, Lee & Larkin Funeral Home
103 East Ute St.
Farmington, NM
(505) 325-8688