Dillard Lee Branch, son of the late Johnnie and Emma Branch, was born October 16, 1937 in Conway, N.C. the forth child of ten children. Dillard received his education in Northhampton county public schools. He moved from North Carolina to Norfolk, Virginia in 1958 where he worked doe several years. In 1960 he moved to Baltimore, Md. where he met abd later married Gwendolyn Ricks. They were married on April 7, 1962. To this union was joined one daughter, Kimberly Branch Jackson. Dillard was employed at Sweetheart Cup for thirty-eight years until his health began to fail. Dillard was baptized at an early age at Zion Hill Baptist Church in Seaboard,N.C. Dillard loved to sit on his front porch, go fishing and socialize with his two buddies George and Hank. He leaves to cherish his memory; his devoted wife of forty-four years, Gwendolyn; daughter, Kim; two grandsons, Jermaine Branch and Malcolm Miller; three great-grandchildren, Jermaine Jr., Daisha and Kylil Branch; four sisters, Lois Read, Maggie People and Gladys Pauley all of Baltimore, Md., Pealie Pitts of New Jersey; two brothers, Lee A. Branch and Cecil Branch of Baltimore, Md.; seven sisters=in-law five brothers-in-law; aunt Minnie Combo of North Carolina; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.