Sedley - Lottye Bulls Branche, 93, widow of John Elmore Branche, passed away April 24, 2007 at her home. A lifelong resident of Southampton County, she was a daughter of the late Irvin and Margaret Pond Bulls. She spent several years at Westbrook Psychiatric Hospital as a nurse, prior to becoming a farmer's wife. Until her death, she actively managed the Branche farms. Her greatest accomplishment was raising her nine children. In her later years she had become a surrogate for her many nieces and nephews as well as the Sedley "children". She was a member of Sedley Baptist Church, taught Sunday school for many years, was a member of the Women's Missionary Society and sang in the choir for 50 years.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Edna B. Wade and husband, John, Juanita B. Drake and husband, Roger, Phyllis B. Cheatham and husband, Jim, Margaret Ann B. Connors and husband, Mike; sons, Patrick E. Branche and wife, Beverly, Winston Gilbert Branche and wife, Mildred, Bobby E. Branche and wife, Judi, John E. Branche and wife, Judy; thirteen grandchildren, Kim B. Tucker, Kelly B. Bailey, Tammy B. Lowe, Sheron W. Williams, Randy Wade, Robert Branche, Suzanne B. Pope, Sara Gray, Jennifer G. Felts, John Branche, Jr., Ben Branche, Allison Cheatham, Jessica Cheatham; thirteen great-grandchildren, Brenna Tucker, Dillon Tucker,

Ashley Avent, Robert Bailey, IV, Winston Lowe, Matthew Lowe, Jamie Elliott, Wade Williams, Kendal Pope, Austin Pope, Madison Felts, Kaylee Branche and Jenna Branche. She was predeceased by a daughter, Carolyn N. Branche, a grandson, Joey Branche, five sisters and five brothers.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, April 27, 2007 in the chapel of Wright Funeral Home, Franklin, with the Rev. Armand Jalbert and Rev. David Johnson officiating. Interment will follow in Rosemont Cemetery, Sedley. The family will receive friends Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home and other times at the residence. Memorials may be made to Sedley Baptist Church or a charity of choice.