Robert Kenneth Brannon, affectionately known as “Big Bob”, died
on May 5, 2023 at home in Crossville, TN. He was preceded in
death by his parents, Margaret Carlton Brannon Maggio and Ralph
Brannon and sister Mary Lucinda Brannon. He is survived by son
Evan Brannon (Jennifer), daughter Tara Christian (Camron). Five
grandchildren, Molly Grace Marks (Cody), Madison Christian, Evan
Brannon Jr., Emily Clark and Olivia Clark. He is also survived by 7
brothers and sisters; Nancy Rankins (Darrell), Barbara Suiter (Tom),
Vicki Thomason (Bill), David Brannon (Joy), Ed Brannon, Bill
Brannon (Karen) along with several nieces and nephews. Last but
certainly not least, was his ex-wife and life partner of 50 years, Kay
Brannon. She was the absolute love of his life. When the time came
that he could no longer live alone Kay came back “home”, despite
being divorced for over 35 years, living 2000 miles away, to take
care of the man she loved from the day they met until the day he
died.
“Big Bob” died the way way he lived…On his own terms, in his
home, surrounded by the love of his family. To know Bob was to
love him. He “had a story for every occasion” and performed so
many random acts of kindness throughout his life it would be
impossible to even begin to list them. He never missed a phone call
to sing happy birthday, he always had a joke and loved to ask, or
answer, any trivia question, from any category. He was loyal, kind,
and as unselfish as anyone on the planet. To say he was a simple
man would be incorrect, he was rigid when it came to his opinions
and was rarely wrong. Even when he was he would never admit it.
Women loved him and men wanted to be him. He had a gravity that
would pull you in and refuse to let go. He lived a life full of
unbelievable accomplishments and catastrophic failures, neither of
which impacted his optimism and love for life.
To say he will be missed is so inadequate. The void he will leave in
so many lives is something that can not be measured.
We will be celebrating his life on Saturday May 13th, at Woodfin
Funeral Chapel in Murfreesboro TN located at 1488 Lascassas Pike
#1600, 37130. Visitation will be held from 1-4 with a memorial
service to begin at 4pm.
