Marie Branson Lucas Cates, wife of Floyd Cates of Waco, Kentucky and the daughter of the late Chester and Elvira Couch Branson was born in Lee County, Kentucky on January 6, 1922 and departed this life in Richmond, Kentucky on July 20, 2017 at the age of 95 years, 6 months, and 14 days. She was a housewife, waitress, employee of Sears, and also worked for a Senior Citizens Center. She was a member of the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Dreyfus, Kentucky.
In addition to her husband, Marie has three daughters, Lorena Neighbors of Vicksburg, Michigan, Anita McCaslin of Otter Lake, Michigan and Clara Sue Kuhl of Michigan; five stepchildren, Ima Jean Gooch of Waco, Kentucky, Ella Lee Farthing of Richmond, Kentucky, Linda Sue Baker, Faye Hisle, and Janet Baker all of Waco, Kentucky; four brothers & sisters, Lois Pugh and Alta Schultz of Tennessee, Wallace Branson of Wilmore, Kentucky, and Paul Branson of Tennessee; many grandchildren, great- grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; and one special friend, Maxine Creech of Beattyville, Kentucky.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Harvey Augustus Lucas; one daughter, Fran Kline; a stepson, Floyd Cates, Jr.; and several brothers and sisters.