Ernest “Pap” Brand died peacefully at his residence in Santuck on Monday, April 26, 2010.
Funeral services will be held at Gassett Funeral Home Chapel Thursday, April 29 at 3 p.m. with the Rev. Charles Sanders and the Rev. Burton Herring officiating. Burial will immediately follow the funeral service in Sheppard Cemetery at the corner of Pierce Chapel Road and U.S. Highway 170 (Georgia Road).
Ernest was born on Dec. 19, 1917, in Clanton. Ernest is preceded in death by his parents, Delbert and Cuba Brand; his brothers, Edsel, Emmitt and Curtis Brand; and sisters, Gertie Mae Ellison and Leola Wellburn. He is also preceded in death by the love of his life, Bessie Mae Shaw Brand, whom he was married to for 66 years. Of this marriage they gave birth to their three surviving children: Pat Brand, Jimmy (Faye) Brand and Bab (Jean) Brand, all of Santuck; nine grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Wilma (Tony) Connell, Betty (James) Olive and Evelyn McGuire.
He was an entrepreneur in the saw milling industry the majority of his life. Ernest and Bessie moved to Santuck on Feb. 2, 1946, and were pillars of this community as well as avid Christians serving God at Pierce Chapel United Methodist Church.
He lived a simple life while teaching his family how to live by the Golden Rule. He enjoyed gardening and maintaining Bessie’s flowers after her death. He will be greatly missed by many.
Pallbearers will be his grandsons: Travis, Lance and Brandon Fuller; and Jamie, Jeff and Bo Brand. Honorary pallbearers will be Hank Pitts and John C. Hamilton.
We wish to send a special thank you to his wonderful caregivers: Provetta Walker and Jennifer Long as well as his hospice staff and special nurse, Saundra Brendle, Dr. Coleman and staff of Elmore Community Hospital.
Floral arrangements will be accepted or you may make donations in his honor to Pierce Chapel United Methodist Church, c/o Tracy Pitts, 2070 Pleasant Hill Road, Wetumpka, AL 36092. Online Guest Book available at gassettfuneralhome.net.