Franklin – Katherine Branch Beale, 89, widow of Theo Elliott Beale, passed away May 6, 2018. Born November 16, 1928 in Southampton County, she was the daughter of the late Fenton and Hattie Raiford Branch. Katherine was also predeceased by five brothers, Lonnie, Joe, Rodgers, Wallace and Phillip Branch. She was a 1946 graduate of Ivor High School and a former employee of Union Bag Camp. She also helped her husband Theo in the day to day family farming operation. Katherine was a member of Black Creek Baptist Church.

Left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Ruby Katherine Beale Gray and her husband, Jimmy; a son, Thomas Exum Beale, II and his wife, Michelle; two grandchildren, Christina Beale Hawkins (Josh) and Theo Ethan Beale (Ashley) and four great-grandchildren, Kaine, Brooklynn and Bailei Britt and Everley Beale.