Darlene Branch

Darlene Branch, 68, of Lorain, Ohio, transitioned into her heavenly home on the evening of Friday, September 13, 2024. Today we rejoice in the knowledge that she has finished her work and passed the barrier of time as we know it and is forever at home with her Father she faithfully served for over 48 years. 

Darlene was born December 5, 1955 to Florilla and Leonard A. Robinson. She leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 44 years, Samuel Branch Jr, her daughters Violet (Scott) Fisher and Yvette/Angel Branch, and son Yeshua Branch, two grandchildren, Elisha and Elaiah Fisher, along with a host of nieces and nephews. 

She was one of five children: Sugar Ray Robinson, Deloise Hopkins-Brantley, Diane Utsey-Henderson, and Stephen Robinson. After she graduated from Elyria High School, Darlene attended Lorain Community College and studied nursing. She was a certified home daycare provider for over 25 years. She loved reading her Bible and sharing daily scriptures with friends and family. In following up on her text messages she would also ask questions about said scriptures, due to her Sunday School teaching background. 

She loved shopping and two of her all-time favorite stores were Macy’s and TJ Maxx. In addition, she enjoyed dancing and daily playing games with her husband, especially when she was winning. 

Darlene was an exemplary mother and human being. She embodied the best qualities: unconditional love, support, strength, unending generosity that could be seen to all those around her. She gave her life to the Lord and was baptized in Jesus Name and filled with the Holy Ghost. In 1979, she met the love of her life Samuel Branch while attending Greater Christ Temple Church, pastored by the late Elder Jesse L. Matthews. She said she fell in love with him because he was handsome, loving, kind, intelligent and funny. 

As a long-standing member at Greater Christ Temple, she served in many roles of the ministry as a Sunday School Teacher, the Kitchen Committee, a Youth Leader, and the Usher Board. She provided transportation to and from church for decades for friends, family, and guests. She was an ordained minister through the Ohio District Council of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. 

Darlene was preceded in death by her father, Leonard A. Robinson, and mother, Florilla Davis (nee Phillips); her brother Sugar Ray Robinson and sister Diane Utsey-Henderson. 

A viewing will be held Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, from 10 AM until the time of funeral services at 11 AM at the Cathedral of Praise Worship Center, 4545 Elyria Ave, Lorain OH 44055, where Bishop Melvin L Brown is the Senior Pastor and Overseer. The interment will follow at Elmwood Cemetery, Lorain.