Bernita Eva Branson was born January 19, 1941 in Manchester, South Dakota to Stewart and Eunice (Timm) Moore. She passed away May 12, 2012 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at the age of 71 years.

Bernita was raised in Manchester and attended school in Desmit, South Dakota. She married Melvin Branson on August 27, 1958 in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. They lived and farmed several years in Manchester before moving to Kingfisher. Bernita worked for Pioneer Telephone as an operator and billing secretary, retiring after 30 years of service. She was a member of the Kingfisher Church of Christ and was well loved by all.

Survivors include her husband Melvin of the home; one son, Charles Branson and wife Vicki of Kingfisher; two daughters, Sylvia Bernhardt of Kingfisher and Deborah Henderson and husband Kurt of Kingfisher; grandchildren, Donnie Bernhardt, Kelly Coldwater and husband Gage, Cherie Lemke and husband Luke, Chad Branson, Mitch Henderson, and Lane Henderson; great grandchildren, Aurora Coldwater, Pike Coldwater, and Eli Lemke. She is preceded in death by her parents, son, Gaylon Paul Branson and sister Margaret Senn.

Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at the Kingfisher Church of Christ with Jay Roney and Gage Coldwater officiating. Burial will follow in the Oakland-Knowles Cemetery in Crescent. Services are under the direction of Abernathy Aaron Funeral Home in Crescent.