Author: Ruth Olson

John Philip “Phil” Yowell, 72, passed away peacefully at his home in Spotsylvania, VA and entered the presence of his heavenly Father on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Phil was born on April 11, 1954, to John Albon Yowell and Mary Mitchell Yowell of Bealeton, VA. After graduating from Fauquier High School, Phil studied at Mary Washington College, later transferring to Davidson College in North Carolina. At Davidson he earned a bachelor’s degree in Art History.

Phil’s varied career included time spent as a dental assistant, a Christian retreat director, and an iris hybridizer. He also raised and sold vegetables at a local farmers’ market. Perhaps his most challenging and rewarding role was as an interim pastor for his church while they waited to hire a full-time pastor.

Phil had a servant’s heart and was willing to do whatever was needed for the church. His love of God’s Word led him to lead Bible studies and preach when needed. He also served in church leadership positions, and sang on the worship team. After going on his first dental mission trip to Haiti in the early 1980s, he developed a deep love for the Haitian people. This led him to participate in and lead over 30 church-sponsored short-term mission trips throughout his life. He was constantly studying the Haitian Creole language so that he could better communicate with and serve his Haitian brothers and sisters.

Phil loved admiring God’s creation, whether through hiking and camping, or his hours spent tending his beautiful flower gardens. Above all, he was devoted to his wife of 46 years, Ginny, and to his three sons and their families. He adored his ten grandchildren and they adored their grandpa. Phil was known for his humility, his willingness to serve, and his genuine love for people.

Phil was preceded in death by his parents John “Jack” and Mary Yowell. He is survived by his wife Ginny Yowell, and his three sons and their families: John & Kara (Albon, Lillian, Hope & Noel), Mitch & Beka (Carson, Natalie & Maddux) and Keith & Suzanne (Ethan, Lucas & Olivia). He is also survived by his brother Bob Yowell (wife, Tina) of Daytona Beach, FL and his sister Emily Braswell (husband, Richard) of Knoxville, TN.

A service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 27, 2026 at Grace Church of Fredericksburg, 1141 Heatherstone Dr, Fredericksburg, VA, 22407. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church and a reception will follow immediately after the service. The service will be livestreamed on https://gcofonline.org/

A private family interment will take place following the memorial service. Additional details regarding the interment will be shared with family members at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites friends to honor Phil’s legacy through donations to his Haiti mission work: https://gofund.me/96fab1800

Dr. Kenneth Raynor Gallup Jr. “G Daddy”, 79, was released from his earthly body and passed away peacefully on August 11, 2026. Born on May 7, 1947, he was the eldest of two sons to Margaret Ella Farrar Gallup of Mount Holly and Kenneth Raynor Gallup Sr. of Fayetteville.

Ken was born and raised in Sanford, NC. A lifelong scholar and servant leader, Ken excelled academically from an early age, graduating as valedictorian of his high school class. He continued his education at Davidson College, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1969. He was awarded the prestigious Zachary Smith Reynolds Scholarship to attend medical school at the Bowman Gray School of Medicine, where he graduated in 1973. Ken stayed at Bowman Gray where he completed his residency in 1975, fellowship in 1977 and remained on faculty until 1980.

Dr. Gallup was triple board certified in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease, and Critical Care Medicine, a testament to his brilliance, discipline, and unwavering dedication to patient care.

In 1980, Dr. Gallup co founded Salem Chest Specialists in Winston Salem alongside Dr. William O’Neal. The practice remains a trusted pillar of the Winston-Salem community to this day. His passion for medicine was matched by an equally strong passion for business. He approached both with curiosity, discipline, and a drive to build meaningful, lasting institutions. That business acumen was evident when he helped co found PARTNERS National Health Plans of NC, a health maintenance organization that broadened his impact on healthcare delivery across the region.

Ken was known for his fun sense of humor, frequent joke telling and his love of a good pun. He delighted in repeating his favorite lines, enjoyed his daily comics, and often joked about how much he “loved work, he could watch people work all day.”

Ken was also a passionate sports fan. He loved the Davidson Wildcats, cheered on the Carolina Panthers, and most of all, remained a proud and loyal Wake Forest Demon Deacon Club Member for decades, black and gold through and through.

Ken found deep joy in life’s simple and beautiful moments. He often spoke fondly of his father’s hardware store, Gallup’s Hardware, where he spent many summers learning the value of hard work and community. He loved to sail and spend time on the water, a place where he felt most at peace. He especially cherished family gatherings at Buffalo Lake in Sanford, NC, in the beloved lake house his father built in 1961. That home remains a sanctuary of laughter, tradition, and togetherness, memories that will forever live in the hearts of those he loved.

Ken found great joy in his family. He was preceded in death by his loving parents and brother, Albert Durant Gallup and stepson Travis Lee Lucas.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Sharon McMahan Gallup; daughter, Malinda Carole Gallup; son Kenneth Raynor Gallup III “Tripp” and wife Melanie Lawson Gallup; stepson Mark Edward Lucas and wife Randilee Rinkavage Lucas. He was a proud grandfather to Brielle Farrar Gallup, Kenneth Raynor Gallup IV “Kade”, Makayla Dawn Lucas, Avery Lee Lucas, and Kameron Travis Lucas. He is also survived by his sister in law, Linda Hoffman Gallup, along with extended family, colleagues, and friends who will forever carry his memory.

Dr. Gallup lived a life defined by intellect, humility, humor, and deep compassion. His legacy endures in the countless lives he healed, the students and colleagues he guided, the businesses he built, and the family he loved so dearly.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at College Park Baptist Church, 1701 Polo Rd, Winston Salem, NC 27106, with Rev. Ramon E. Smith officiating. A visitation will follow the service in the church’s fellowship hall. A private graveside service is being held in honor of Ken. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trellis Supportive Care (www.TrellisSupport.org) or the American Lung Association (American Lung Association).

Edward Laurance Womack, 73, passed away on August 7, 2026.

Ed was the son of Edward McCormick Womack and Laura Frances McArthur Womack and grew up with his sisters, Lynda, Jenny, and Susan. His father’s career took the family through Georgia, Alabama, and Florida before they eventually settled in Stone Mountain, Georgia.

Athletics were an important part of Ed’s early life. He was a talented high school athlete and went on to play football at Davidson College, where he was a defensive back for the Wildcats. In 1972, he was named Southern Conference Player of the Week, and by his senior season he was recognized as one of the leaders of Davidson’s defense.

Football was part of his story, but the better measure of Ed was the way he lived the rest of his life.

Ed could be stoic. He could be stern. He usually wasn’t the person who needed to say a lot. But when something mattered, he showed up.

His Christian faith was also an important part of who he was. It gave him a foundation for how he approached his life, his family, and the people around him. He believed in caring for others, being generous with what he had, and doing what was right, often without needing recognition for it.

For 43 years, he and his wife, Lynn, built a life and family together. They raised two sons, Matthew married to Caty, and Kyle married to Jenny.

Ed loved his family in a way that was often more visible through his actions than his words. He was dependable, loyal, and generous. If you needed help, he was there. If something needed to be done, he did it.

His idea of family also extended far beyond the people who shared his last name.

If you were Ed’s friend, you were treated like family. If you were a friend of Matt or Kyle, the same rule applied. People were welcomed into his home and into his life without much ceremony. Over the years, more than a few people who started out simply as friends of his boys became part of the family in every way that mattered.

Later in life came a role that suited him particularly well: grandfather.

To Matt and Caty’s children, Hunter, Olivia, and Hayden, he was GrandEd.

To Kyle and Jenny’s daughters, Kinsley and Hayley, he was Old Man.

The names were different, but the relationship underneath them was the same. He loved his grandchildren, and they knew exactly who their grandfather was.

Ed is survived by his wife, Lynn; his sons, Matt and Kyle, and their wives, Caty and Jenny; his grandchildren, Hunter, Olivia, Hayden, Kinsley, and Hayley; and his sisters, Lynda Kenney and her husband Bob, Jenny, and Susan and her husband Tom.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward McCormick Womack and Laura Frances McArthur Womack.

Those who knew Ed will remember a man who was steady, sometimes stubborn, often quiet, and always willing to take care of the people he loved.

He taught his family something important without ever needing to make a speech about it: be there for your people.

Show up when it matters. Help when you can. Be generous. Make room for people. Treat your children’s friends as if they are your own.

That is how Ed lived, and it is a legacy his family will carry forward. His family also finds comfort in the Christian faith that was part of his life and in the promise that this goodbye is not the end.

We love you, Dad.

And we are going to miss you more than we know how to say.

Barrington (Barry) Heath Branch, Sr., an Atlanta native, passed away on August 6, 2026, surrounded by family after a long fight with cancer.

Barry was known above all for his selflessness. He put his family first, always, and brought the same relentless work ethic to everything he cared about, whether it was building a career, mentoring a student, or simply showing up for the people he loved. A loyal Atlanta sports fan and avid reader, Barry was happiest with a book in hand or a game on the TV. He loved nothing more than being by a body of water, especially when making memories with his family at Lake Rabun and Rosemary Beach.

Barry grew up as a competitive swimmer and enjoyed sharing stories of his record-breaking swims at both national and international swim meets. He graduated from the Westminster Schools in Atlanta and went on to Davidson College, where he captained the varsity swimming team. After graduating from Davidson, he received his law degree from Duke University.

Barry enjoyed a distinguished, decades-long business and professional career, first as a corporate attorney, then as a real estate developer, investor, financier, and educator. Following his years with the law firm of Hansell Post, Barry successfully led the development, financing, marketing, and management of numerous iconic Portman projects throughout the United States and Europe. He served for 18 years on the Board of Directors of Weeks Corporation and Duke Realty Corporation and was Chairman of the Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate. Barry later served as President and CEO of Dutch Institutional Holding Company. In 2018, Barry merged the Capital Markets Practice of his consulting firm, Branch Real Estate Advisors, with his brother David’s Site Services Group, to create SSG Realty Partners, LLC, an Atlanta-based land investment advisory firm. In 2023, SSG Realty Partners became the foundation for Artisan Land Companies, LLC, where he served as a member of the executive committee.

Since 2012, Barry also served as the Robert H. Ledbetter, Sr. Professor of the Practice of Real Estate Development at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business, where he created and led an innovative program in real estate development and finance. Of everything Barry accomplished in his career, teaching may be what he was most proud of. He deeply loved mentoring his students and staying in touch with many long after graduation. He took enormous pride in watching so many of them go on to become successful real estate executives in their own right.

Barry has left a legacy that will continue well after his passing. However, what he will be remembered for most is the way he enjoyed the simple moments in life. He loved a movie at home with his wife and daughters, brunch at Goldbergs, where he was a regular, and time as “Papa B” with his new granddaughter. His kindness, strength, resilience, and genuine care for others will be deeply missed by all those who loved him.

Barry was preceded in death by his father, Harllee Branch, Jr., his mother, Katherine Hunter (“Kitty”) Branch, and his sister, Kay Branch McKenzie. Barry is survived by his wife, Doreen Branch; daughters Hunter Branch, Hailey Branch Hines (Michael), and River Branch; son Barry Branch, Jr. (Andres’); granddaughter Parker Hines; grandson Quinn; and brothers Harllee Branch, III, and David Branch.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Peachtree Presbyterian Church – Kellett Chapel, 3434 Roswell Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305. Family and friends are invited to attend and celebrate his life.

John Earl Brandon, MD, of Gordo, Alabama, died on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at the age of 74. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, August 5th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Skelton Funeral Home in Reform, AL. A private burial service will be held at a later date.

John is survived by his son, Walker Daniel Brandon of Gordo; his daughters, Brooke Lindsey Brandon of Denver, CO and Hannah Claire Brandon of Tracy, CA; his sister, Lynn Brandon Johnson and brother-in-law, Charles Eugene “Chuck” Johnson, Jr. of Lookout Mountain, GA; and his niece, Elizabeth Johnson Haley and her husband, Heath Haley, and their children, Harrison and Mary Brandon Haley. John was preceded in death by his parents, Earl Brandon, Jr and Marion Powell Brandon.

John grew up in Tuscaloosa, AL, graduating from Tuscaloosa High School in 1970. In 1974, he graduated from Davidson College, where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity. After graduating from Tulane University School of Medicine in 1978, John completed his internship and residency in Family Medicine at the University of Alabama’s College of Community Health Sciences. John began his practice of family medicine in 1981 in Gordo, Alabama, and continued his medical career there for over 40 years.

John loved his career as a primary care physician in a small, rural community. He inspired countless other young medical residents through his teaching and leadership as the medical director of The Rural Medical Scholars Program at the University of Alabama. In 2026, the Rural Medical Scholars’ Sage Award, which is an annual honor that recognizes significant contributions to rural health, was renamed the Dr. John Brandon Award.

John joined the American Medical Association in 1979, and in 2023 he was awarded the Samual Buford Word Award, the highest honor given by the AMA in recognition of service to humanity. In addition, John was a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians throughout his career.

John was instrumental in the implementation of the SMART Clinics in Pickens County, where he served as Physician Preceptor. The SMART clinics offer a full health clinic for students as well as faculty and staff in Pickens County schools. The Gordo Elementary School SMART Clinic was dedicated in honor of “Doc” in 2023.

John had a lifelong passion for Gordo Athletics and Alabama sports. He served as the team physician for Gordo High School athletics. His commitment to the Greenwave was unwavering for 45 consecutive football seasons, from 1981 to 2025. John has never missed a single Gordo High School football game, home or away, attending 548 consecutive games throughout his career as Team physician. John also served his beloved Pickens County as a member of the board of trustees of the Pickens County Medical Center, as well as 3 years as interim representative on the Pickens County Board of Education.

Davidson College honored John at his 50th class reunion in 2024, with the John W. Kuykendall Award for Community Service. This award recognizes alumni who have provided extraordinary service to their community.

For over 70 years, John was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Tuscaloosa. Most recently, he attended the Current Issues Sunday School Class and was a member of the Perry County Mission Committee, an outreach program benefitting Perry County residents.

Honorary Pallbearers are the Chapman Family, the Herring Family, the Payne Family, Ryan Lolley, Jonathan Pate, Jim and Nancy Richardson, Bob Cunningham, Dan Thorne, Duncan Moore, Dennis Whit, John Wheat, Drake Lavender, Robert Shepherd, Ray Stewart, Gordo High School Football and Baseball Coaching Staff, Pickens County Board of Education Faculty and Staff, and Pickens County Smart Clinic Staff.

The Family extends heartfelt appreciation to Glenda Driver, and the staff of Morning Pointe of Tuscaloosa, Capstone Village Traditions Way, and Hospice of West Alabama for their loving care of John.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to: Gordo SMART Clinic, Attn: Amanda Newman, 535 4th Street NW, Gordo, AL 35466 or to Gordo High School Athletic Department, 630 4th Street NW, Gordo, AL 35466 or to First Presbyterian Church – Perry County Fund, 900 Greensboro Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 or Hospice of West Alabama, 3851 Loop Road, Tuscaloosa, AL 35404.