Charles Ray Brank, Sr.

On Saturday, April 2, 2011, Charles Ray Brank had his two earthly desires fulfilled. The sun burst through the clouds as the angels carried him up to meet his Saviour, and then reunited him with his life-long sweetheart. His family was by his side as he peacefully stepped into the presence of Jesus. Celebration of his life will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday (April 6, 2011) at Davidson Funeral Home Chapel conducted by his son-in-law, “Preacher” Mike Fritts. Burial will follow at Cedar Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday (April 5, 2011) at Davidson Funeral Home. Charles Ray Brank was a special Christmas present to his parents, Henry Samuel and Anna Belle Brank, born December 25, 1934 in Gaston County. Waiting to make the family circle complete are his three sisters, Frances Moore, Betty Sue Maness and Emily Sutton. On October 24, 1952, “Ray” married his best friend and dance partner for life, Thelma Boan. Their young love thrived for 58 years until God called his sweetheart home in 2010. His heart died with her but now is finally whole again. Together their love blessed them with six children, Sherry Nadine Brank, Patricia Ray Brank Fritts and her husband, Charles Michael Fritts, Myra Elizabeth Brank Hepler and her husband, Larry Wayne Hepler, Charles Ray Brank, Jr., Joni Faith Brank and Clifton Kelly Brank and his wife, Teresa Hannah Brank. More blessings came with the arrival of their grandkids. Deirdre Kay Bauer, Brandy Fritts Whicker, Charles Henry Wade Brank, Justin David Eli Brank, Timothy Lewis Brank, Danielle Faith Brank, Kelly Ann Brank and Charles Reid Brank. And more sunshine came with the blessings of great-grandchildren. Maddie Grace Whicker, Ellie Kate Whicker and Alexander Drake Brank. “Pop” was the funniest man ever with colorful stories and even an imaginary friend. He was everyone’s favorite “Santa” with his very own belly that “shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly”. He loved reading the paper, Atlanta Braves baseball, NASCAR, and the Washington Redskins. He loved to eat nuts and was famous for shaking peanuts in the can and having a pocket full of jingle with all the coins he found. He would serenade “Grandma” all the time in many different languages and never failed to make us all laugh. He loved southern gospel music and would bellow out the old hymns with his deep bass voice. He loved his church family at Cedar Grove Baptist Church. “Pop” “Daddy” “Grandpa” “Poppaw” will be missed greatly. But the gift of humor he gave us will make our days happier with memories so precious. And never will we forget his tender prayers “Lord, may not one lost soul die without knowing You”. He left a legacy of love and faith that will live on forever in our hearts…until we meet again. Ray would be happy if instead of flowers, all memorials were made to help the ministry he loved so much at Cedar Grove Baptist Church, Building Fund, P.O. Box 591, Lexington, NC 27293.