Funeral services for Myrtle Branch, age 88, of Ruston will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, April 12, 2017, at Kilpatrick Funeral Home Chapel in Ruston. Rev. Dwayne Monk will officiate the service. Interment will follow in New Hope Cemetery in Garrs Mill, LA near Dodson, LA under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home in Ruston. Visitation will be prior to the service at 10:00 A.M. until service time.Mrs. Branch was born on August 13, 1928 in Hodge, LA and died on April 9, 2017 in Ruston, LA. She was a member of New Hope Baptist Church in Choudrant, LA. Mrs. Branch retired as a hairdresser from Mary Beauty Shop. After retirement, she began her second career as Master of Ceremony, hostess, manager and performer at Ruston Dixie Jamboree. She also sang at the Homer Jamboree, Oklahoma City Opry, Louisiana Opry, retirement centers, funerals, or anywhere she could share her love of music. Myrtle closed each show with a gospel tune to thank the Lord for letting us make it through another show and giving us the strength to do it again next week. Myrtle is preceded in death by her husband John M. Branch and numerous brothers and sisters. She is survived by her sons, Mike Branch and wife Carla of Roland, AR and Larry Branch of Lake Claiborne, LA; sister, Joyce Henderson of Winnfield, LA; numerous nieces and nephews, and her two grand dogs, Scooter and Sadie.Pallbearers will be Wayne Branch, Keith Elliott, Tommy Harper, Dicky Nealy, Tripp Parsons, and Jay Stevens. The family would like to thank the Administration and Staff at the Arbor and Terrace, Rev. Dwayne Monk, Compassus Hospice, Professional Hospice Care, and special caregiver, Sandra Hart.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to New Hope Baptist Church, 339 New Hope Road, Choudrant, LA 71227.Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com