Jefferson A. Branham, 77, of Dyersburg, passed away on Sunday, August 7, 2016 at his residence.

Coach Branham was an educator for over 40 years. He spent over 30 of those years at Dyersburg High School. During his tenure in education, he coached football, baseball, softball, and track. He taught Driver's Education, American History, and World Geography. He was not only involved with young people at Dyersburg High School, but also coached the city swim team, taught hunter's safety education and boating safety. He was an Eagle Scout and a member of the "Order of the Arrow". He was a member of First United Pentecostal Church and also served as county commissioner.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at First United Pentecostal Church with Rev. Brent Rashall officiating. Burial will be in the Branham Family Cemetery in Portageville, MO. Dyersburg Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

The family will receive visitors from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday at the church.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret Branham of Dyersburg; two sons, Jeff Branham III of Dyersburg and John Branham of Hot Springs, AR; a daughter, Sherry Clark of Dyersburg; two sisters, Liza Branham of Chicago, IL and Jill East of St. Petersburg, FL; five grandchildren, Chris Branham, Ethan Gibbons, Garrett Malugen, Addison Clark and Evan Bell; and one great-granddaughter, Malia Gibbons.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Melissa Clark; and his parents, Aquilla "Chick" and Alice Calvert Branham.

Pallbearers will be James Counce, Tom Mathis, Doug French, Errol Hook, Neel Durbin and Donnie Jones. Honorary pallbearers will be Terry Glover, Willie Cole, Bart Stowe, John Frye, Blaine Mahaffey, Randy Coffman and Rev. Edward McKelvey.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Dyer County Community Cancer Fund, P.O. Box 1055, Dyersburg, TN 38025 or to the Dyer County Gun Club, P.O. Box 40, Newbern, TN 38059.