Funeral services for the late Mrs. Annie Ruth Branch will be held on Friday, October 7, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at Williams Chapel Baptist Church located in Ehrhardt, South Carolina. Interment services will follow immediately after the services in the church cemetery. Viewing for the public will be held on Thursday between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. On Friday, September 30, 2011, God stopped by and visited Annie Ruth Branch Heyward at 6:50 a.m. and took her home. Annie Ruth Branch was born on September 17, 1939 to the late Remell Branch and Jim Branch in Augusta, Georgia. She was married to the late Ulysees Heyward and this union was blessed with five children with two of her children preceding her in death. Annie was a member of Williams Chapel Baptist Church where she served faithfully. Later in life, Annie joined Sydney Park. She was a faithful member until her illness. Cherishing her fond memories are: two sons, Ulysses Heyward, Jr., Van (Latisha) Heyward all of Bamberg, South Carolina; one daughter, Euralee (Curtis) Johnson of Denmark, South Carolina; two grandchildren raised in the home, Roshia (David) Jones of Williston, SC and Vaneesha Heyward of Brunswick, Georgia; one step son, Curtis Bais of Denmark, South Carolina; four sisters, Jessie Lee (Larry) Cann, Rether Mae Sapp, Jessie Bell Williams all of Bamberg, South Carolina, Ruby Sherman of Ehrhardt, South Carolina; two sisters-in-law, Louise Tyler of Bamberg, South Carolina and Vermell Branch of Denmark, South Carolina; six grandchildren, Tiffany (Maurice) Glover of Denmark, South Carolina, Deidra Robinson of Denmark, South Carolina, Alajuan Lovette of Bamberg, South Carolina, Curtis (San Tovia) Johnson, Jr. of Hephzibal, Georgia; thirteen great-grandchildren; a special cousin, Lunell Ross of Ehrhardt, South Carolina; a best friend, Elizabeth Owens of Bamberg, South Carolina; and a host of other loving relatives and friends.