Charles E. Branch

Charles Edward Branch was born February 7, 1934, to the late Emanuel Branch & Miley Anderson Branch Dean.  He was the 7th born of 9 children.  Along with his parents, he was predeceased by his 5 sisters and 3 brothers.   He constantly talked about how much he missed his family.  He always had a fond memory to share about his parents and siblings.

Charles, in 1944, accepted Jesus Christ as his savior and proudly said he tried to live his life in a manner that would honor God.  He said the way to live your life is to live by Christian principles. He said even in his older years, he never asked God for too much.  He was too busy thanking him for all the wonderful things He had already done for him.

Charles attended Overbrook High School. There, he met Wilt Chamberlain and they became good friends.  Along with finding a good friend, Charles found a love for boxing. He struggled through school and boxing was a good outlet for him.  He enjoyed it so much that he intended to become a professional boxer.   In his mind, he still thanks Wilt Chamberlain for teaching him to defend himself with boxing.

 When asked why he didn't pursue a career as a professional boxer, he said he had to work and then he was drafted into the United States Army.  While in the army, he was stationed in Fort Benning, Georgia where he served 2 years from October 1956 to October 1958. He received an honorable discharge and was only too happy to return home.  When he got out of the service, he had to work and he felt he was getting too old to start a boxing career.  His focus was on finding a good job.

 He was having a hard time finding a job.  One day while trying to figure out where he could go, he remembered going out one day with his brother, the late Rev Emanual S Branch, Jr., (fondly known as Pete).  That day Pete and Charles ran into A. Leon Higginbotham.  Pete and Leon were friends from Yale University where they had both attended.  It was there Mr. Higginbotham studied law.  Charles and Mr. Higganbothem were introduced and he told Charles if he or anyone in the Branch family needed any help, feel free to come to him for assistance.

That day, Charles got dressed and went downtown to see Mr. Higginbotham and told him of his need for a job.  Mr. Higginbotham told him what office to go to at The Philadelphia Housing Authority.  That was November 1964 and Charles worked for PHA until his retirement in December 1990.

Charles was loved by the residents at the Philadelphia Housing Authority.  When they needed assistance, they requested him.  He said he was kind to all, trustworthy, and knew how to mind his business. Charles said he just treated people the way he wanted to be treated, you know, The Golden Rule.

Charles always kept his block clean as a young boy.  He would sweep the sidewalks, shovel the snow, help neighbors take out their trash on trash day, remove graffiti, and in later years, keep up the "Flag Garden" at the corner of 59th & Vine St.  Due to his dedication to keeping his block clean, an article was written in the Westside Weekly telling of his good deeds.   They dubbed him "Good Neighbor Charlie". He continued to do this throughout his life and was forced to stop in 2014 when his health started to take a turn. His neighbors told him it was time to give it up. Reluctantly he stopped.

After retirement, Charles delivered papers for The Westside Weekly and the Scoop.  He went everywhere to deliver the papers. When he started delivering the papers to city hall and he met a lot of politicians.  He has been visited at his home by John Street and Michael Nutter, both former Mayors of Philadelphia. He has met, shaken hands, and taken pictures with Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Sr., and the list goes on. He met so many politicians. He was invited to and marched in 10 consecutive Puerto Rican parades.

Charles retired after 50 years of service on the Usher Board at Mt Carmel Baptist Church, he was a Shop Steward while employed for the City of Philadelphia, a member of Laborers Local 332 for 53 years, and a Trustee and Chaplain for the union as well. 

He enjoyed meeting all of the different politicians during the years but there were two people he met who were not involved in politics that excited him the most.  When he was in his late teens, he worked as a caddy at a golf course.  One day as he caddied, he met Joe Louis.  Charles said he was in awe.  He shook his hand and spoke to him briefly but he said he would never forget that day.  Many years later he was at a black-tie affair and he had the pleasure of meeting Muhamad Ali. Muhamad Ali offered brief chit-chat, shook his hand, and took a picture with Charles.  Once again, he was in awe.

Charles was a man who was loved and respected by many.  He was a humble man and his integrity was part of his everyday life. He wore the full armor of God.

The flame on his candle has diminished and the book of Charles’s life came to a close in chapter 88.  He, along with his mother, father, 5 sisters, and 3 brothers are together again and will be greatly missed forever.  The Branch family reunion is now located in heaven.  Old times have passed away. Charles will be greatly missed.

Charles leaves a host of nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends to mourn his memory.

Submitted With Love,

The Family

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