Lionel Francis Branscomb

Lionel Francis Branscomb, 88, of Winston-Salem, NC, passed away on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home.

He was born on January 26, 1938, in Carroll County, Virginia, the only child of late Earl and Opal Branscomb.

Lionel grew up in rural Forsyth County, NC, and graduated from Mineral Springs High School in 1956. He was married in Oak Summit United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem, NC, also in 1956, to his late wife, Ramona Wilkes Branscomb. He then graduated from Wake Forest University in 1960.

Lionel was a Christian man who loved the Lord, and spent his life moving among eight different states with his family due to his career with Colgate Palmolive. He was a past President of the Reynolda Rotary Club, and served on the Wake Forest University Presidential Scholarship committee. He also directed twelve major musical plays during his residence in Franklin, MA, and served as a Lay Speaker and Lay Leader in the United Methodist Church, as well as in several church committees.

His favorite pastimes included going to North Myrtle Beach, SC, golfing, horseshoeing, and directing musical plays. Above all, he enjoyed being a "papa" to his beloved grandchildren.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Lionel was preceded in death by his son-in-law, John Hering.

Lionel is survived his daughters, Patience Hering of Coppell, TX, and Laura Cody (Matthew) of Winston-Salem, NC; son, Lionel Branscomb II (Magda) of Houston, TX; eight grandchildren, Priscilla Carr (Joshua), Andrew Cody (Pao), Caroline Wall (Robert), Emily Cody, Hannah Branscomb, Natalie Cody, Jacob Hering (Kaiti), and Eli Branscomb; and five great-grandchildren, Conner Wall, Joy Carr, Jubilee Carr, Jovial Carr, and Blaine Cody.

A celebration of Lionel's life will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, March 27, 2026, at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel. The family will receive friends the night prior, Thursday, March 26, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. 

In lieu of flowers, Lionel requested donations be made to the Rotary Foundation, 14280 Collections Center Dr. Chicago, IL 60693.

Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is assisting the family of Lionel Branscomb.