Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Branham, 86, of Columbia, died Sunday, August 11, 2013. Born November 8, 1926, in Richland County, SC, she was a daughter of the late Preston Lee Carmen and Lillie Mae Summers Carmen. Elizabeth was a member of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, where she enjoyed the Lunch Bunch, Women's Circle, and The Joy Club. Mrs. Branham was a dedicated member of the Denny Terrace Walkers group, and a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

Survivors include her sons, F.L. (Linda) Branham, Jr. of Chapin, SC, Mike (Linda) Branham of Lexington, SC; daughters, Carolyn (Joe) Carnaggio, Joyce (Gene) Hornsby, all of Columbia, Teresa Branham of West Columbia; thirteen grandchildren; eighteen great grandchildren; six great great grandchildren; along with numerous special nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Leonard Branham; daughter, Marilyn Branham; great grandson, Christian Hornsby; sisters, Mildred Kelly, Ida Mae Carmen, Margaret Carmen; and brothers, J.W. and Gene Carmen.

The funeral service for Mrs. Branham will be held 11 o'clock, Wednesday, August 14th, at Shives Funeral Home, 5202 Colonial Drive, Columbia, with The Reverend Dr. Mark Bredholt officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church Cemetery, 736 Campground Rd., Columbia. Serving as pallbearers will be Elizabeth's grandsons: Brady, Heath, and Troy Branham, Mike Branham, Jr., Gary, Joey, and Tony Carnaggio, Ronald Crawford and Chris Hornsby. The family will greet friends Tuesday evening at the funeral home from 5 until 7 o'clock.

Memorials may be made to Palmetto Health Children's Hospital, care of the Palmetto Health Foundation, PO Box 602575, Charlotte, NC 28260-2575.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Myron Bell and the staff at Palmetto Heart Center for their love and compassion.