Janie Sumrall Branch: ‘In the arms of Jesus’

The delightful life of Janie Sumrall Branch, also known lovingly as Janie Girl, was remembered with song and praise during her funeral Friday at First Baptist Church in Holly Springs.

The 3-year-old daughter of Marshall Academy athletic director and head baseball coach Bruce Branch and his wife Abby passed away September 6 from injuries in an automobile accident.

In her eulogy, the main sentiment was Janie’s excitement and unabashed friendliness to everyone.

“She touched everyone, brought joy to everyone in here,” said Eli Hiser, who offered prayer and read scripture. “Thank God for all the memories. Thank you, God, for Janie — for her life.”

Barrett Donahoe, former headmaster at Marshall Academy, said his family and the Branch family are dear friends. He shared special memories from Janie’s life and a message of hope for the Branch family.

“This message is for all of us here today,” he said.

First, he read a statement from Bruce and Abby Branch, thanking everyone for the outpouring of love and support for the family.

“The Marshall Academy family, along with so many other friends and family from communities across the state and beyond have brought comfort to our family in such a difficult time,” the couple stated. “It is times like these that remind us how fortunate we are to live in a place like Mississippi, where people genuinely care about one another.”

Donahoe said Janie did not meet a stranger, loved to be the center of attention, was the life of the party and a born leader.

“Janie was the number one fan of all things Marshall Academy,” he said.

He read some statements from members of the MA baseball team.

One read, “Janie Girl was like our little sister. She was always around when we were practicing or playing a ball game. Janie loved Marshall Academy, and she was our biggest cheerleader.”

Janie lived life to the fullest, Donahoe said.

He said his favorite memory of Janie was her passing by his office every day when he was at Marshall and stopping to wave.

“That image is perfect and wonderful,” Donahoe said.

He defined true friendship, the kind he shares with Bruce and Abby Branch.

“A true friend is someone who will genuinely listen to you when you are in your darkest moments, and a true friend is someone who will go out of their way to celebrate your greatest accomplishments,” he said.

Donahoe offered words spoken by the apostle Paul in Romans 8:38-39.

“For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

He said, “Even as bad as this time is in your life, God is still with you with his perfect love. The amount of love that Janie felt from you every day is immeasurable compared to the love she feels right now at the feet of Jesus. This is not just our hope, but our faith.

“Bruce, Abby and all the family, we love you!”

First Baptist pastor Joe Lusby described a movie he once saw made of the life of Jesus. The actor had blue eyes and the movie was very bad.

“But one scene touched my heart,” he said.

Jesus was walking along the shores of the sea of Galilee when children saw him and as Jesus knelt on one knee, the children crashed into his body knocking Jesus over. Lusby said Jesus’ love for children overwhelmed him in that movie.

His disciples tried to stop those children from running to Jesus, the Master.

“You want to make the Lord angry, mistreat a child,” Lusby said.

Matthew 18:3 – “And verily I say unto you, except ye turn and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

“Janie ran into those arms,” Lusby said. “This is one of those moments to come to Jesus like a child. It’s OK to cry. It is not a sign of weakness. Jesus cried when Lazarus died. Some people cry when they are happy. Some people never cry, but that does not mean their heart is not broken.

“It’s OK to cry and to depend on the Lord 100 percent. Moment to moment, hour to hour, day to day, totally 100 percent dependent on God.

“It’s OK to say, ‘God, I can’t do it. It’s going to be all on you.’ It’s OK to be honest with the Lord. Have you ever gotten angry at God? He’s got big shoulders.

“It’s OK to be dependent, to be honest with Him.

“The Lord’s got your little girl’s hand and she’s saying, don’t let go. She’s never been as safe as she is right now.

“Please know Jesus. Let him be Lord of your life. Amen.”

Some tributes in song included “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and “His Eye Is On The Sparrow,” “The Blessing” and “My Jesus.”

Janie Sumrall Branch –October 10, 2017, to September 6, 2021 –was buried in the Sidon community on Highway 49 near Tchula.