Lucille Branscome

Lucille was born November 7, 1919 in Osceola, Texas to Will J. and Fleta Hamilton Harper. She attended Mayfield Schools and graduated from Itasca High School. After graduation, she attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary for two years majoring in Religious Education. Due to the economic situation of World War II, she left her studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and returned to Hillsboro where she was employed by the Law Office of Herman Eastland, Jr and Conway Carmichael at Corsicana Production Credit Association. On June 16, 1942 she married William Oscar W.O. Branscome in Hillsboro. After a few years residing in Monahans and Waxahachie, the couple returned to Hillsboro where she lived for the past 55 years. A dedicated member of First Baptist Church of Hillsboro, she served as Sunday School Department Director and taught Sunday School for 62 years. As a Bible study teacher, she also served as leader of the Eloise Cauthen Circle for 35 years; and a teacher in Vacation Bible School for 35 years. Lucille chaired numerous church committees including Benevolence Committee, Personnel Committee, and Missions Committee. In her later years she traveled and sang with the Homeward Bound Singers. As a servant leader she gave of her time and talents to many civic and philanthropic organizations. As a life member of the Texas Congress of PTAs, she served as President of the Hillsboro City Council of PTAs and on the State of Texas PTA Board of Directors District 9 for 10 years. She was a Girl Scout troop leader for 15 years and was Neighborhood Chairman for Hillsboro. While serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the Bluebonnet Girl Scout Council for 9 years, she was presented the highest award for volunteer service. She was a life member of the Monday Review Federated Women's Club, serving two terms as President. As a life member of the Capitol District Federated Women's Club, she served as a member of their Board of Directors for almost 20 years. In 1985 the American Heart Association AHA honored her by founding an Infant Heart Research Project at U.T. Southwest Medical Center in her name. This honor was bestowed upon her for her 25 years of service as Memorial Chairman for the Hill County Division of AHA. Also in 1985, she was recognized as Regional and State of Texas Volunteer of the year. Other boards and committees which she served on included: Hillsboro Heritage League; Hill County Arts Committee; Bonds Alley; Hillsboro Historical Society; and Cell Block Museum. Lucille was preceded in death by her husband; brother, J.D. Harper; sister, Allene Seldomridge, and stepson, B.J. Branscome. Survivors include two daughters: Judy Watson and husband, Frank of Dumas, and Jane Hanna and husband, Robert of Richardson; two sisters: Leola Tinsley of Corsicana and Mozelle Wooten of Hillsboro; one brother: Ralph S. Harper and wife, Rosemary of Greenville; four grand-daughters: Kelly Legg and husband, Peyton of Dumas; Kandi Dodson and husband, Jared of Canadian; Kristen Hanna of Dallas; and Meredith Hanna of Richardson; step-grand-daughter, Barbara Raney of Galveston; two great grandsons: James and John Legg; and one great grand-daughter, Mackensie Dodson. Officiating at her service will be Rev. Ken James, former pastor of First Baptist Church in Hillsboro, and her nephew, Dr. Bill Tinsley. The family requests memorials to First Baptist Church, PO Box 271, Hillsboro, Texas 76645 or the charity of your choice.