Ora Brane

Ora Brane, Born on April 15, in Garrett County, MD,Ora was the daughter of Robert and Savilla (Wilt) Broadwater. She was preceded in death by her parents,brothers Rawleigh, Clarence, Porter, and Ray,sister, Freda, and her husband of 40 years, Clarence Robert (Bob). A month away from celebrating her 90th birthday,Ora passed away after declining health complications and a brief hospital stay. Always healthy, she was blessed to have escaped contact with COVID-19.

Ora is survived by her three children: Betty Gibbs of Lynchburg, Brenda Hopkins (Tommy) of Alexandria, and Brian Brane (Michele) of Pittsboro, NC; grandchildren: Tara Hopkins, Sara Moore (Chris), Timothy Hopkins (Selma), Michael Gibbs (Lauren), Seth Hopkins, Stephen Hopkins (Clara), and Kelly Gibbs; one brother, Paul Broadwater (Ohiopyle, PA), and many beloved great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

The final 27 years of her 31-year career with the National Education Association were spent as the personal assistant to three successive NEA Executive Directors. She retired in 1997 and enjoyed spending her retirement years with family and volunteering at church. She lived simply and gave generously to many charitable causes. She will be dearly missed by her family, but we grieve knowing we will see her again.

A graveside memorial service will take place Saturday, March 20, 2021, at 11 AM, at Mount Comfort Cemetery, Alexandria, VA, officiated by Rev. Wes Johnson.  Interment will return Ora to the side of her beloved husband.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.