Mr. O.D. "Shorty" Branch

September 1, 1925 - October 17, 2021

Mr. O. D. “Shorty” Branch, 96, of Peoria, Illinois, transitioned from this life to his heavenly home at 2:55 pm on Sunday, October 17, 2021 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center. Shorty as he was affectionately called, was born on September 1, 1925 in Drew, Mississippi to Doc and Pearl (Higgins) Branch. At the age of 11, Shorty’s parents passed away and he chopped cotton on the white man’s plantation working all day with 2 blocks of sugar in his pocket to help his family. Shorty raised himself. He didn’t have much school learning, but raised himself. In 1952 At the age of 27, Shorty moved to Peoria, IL where he worked at Peoria Malleable until he got laid off. He later worked at the Wood Mill and at the 3 Minute Car Wash. Shorty married Gwendolyn Sue Mullins on August 4, 2011 at the home of Elder James and Lady Faye Taylor on Blaine Street. They’ve enjoyed over 10 years of marriage and truly loved one another. Shorty enjoyed watching TV shows such as “Little House on the Prairie”, “Walker Texas Ranger”, westerns and wrestling. His biggest enjoyment was relaxing in his rocker and eating sweets. Shorty leaves to cherish his most precious memory his loving and devoted wife, Gwendolyn Sue Branch of Peoria, IL; a nephew, William (Antoinette Rogers) Lobdell and a niece, Charlene Williams all of Peoria, IL; and his church family at Pilgrams’ Progress C.O.G.I.C. A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Thursday, October 21, 2021 at Simons Mortuary with a gathering at 1:30 pm. Elder James Taylor will officiate. Simons Mortuary has been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at simonsmortuary.com. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, social distancing is encouraged. To be consistent with recommendations from the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), funeral home directors have been instructed and should follow CDC guidelines on gatherings, including those directly related to funerals, visitations, or graveside services. *In an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, we ask that everyone in attendance: wear a face mask and refrain from hugging, kissing and shaking hands (as hard as it is to see someone you care about and not touch them). *It is our responsibility as a Funeral Directors, to do everything we can to advise families in order to honor our beloved Families and to keep everyone as safe as possible. Thanks in advance for your cooperation!