Ruth Cotins Branch

Ruth Cotins Branch, a resident of Atlanta for the past 58 years, died at her home at Budd Terrace, on May 15, 2005. She was born on May 14, 1923 in New Hartford, New York. Her parents were the late Arthur S. Cotins and Freda Hyde Cotins. She was graduated in 1945 from Wells College in Aurora, New York, where she majored in English Literature and played leading roles in the school?s dramatic productions. She completed graduate studies at the Simmons School of Social Work in Boston Massachusetts, where she met her husband, the late Eugene T. Branch, while he was a student at the Harvard Law School. After their marriage in 1946, they moved to Decatur, Georgia, where she was employed as a social worker by the American Red Cross.  She devoted years of volunteer service to her community, especially to organizations supporting children and families.  She was active in the Junior League of DeKalb County, holding many offices, including its Presidency. She was a founder and Board Chairman of the Trinity Day Care Center in Decatur. Her primary commitment as a volunteer, beginning in the 1960?s, was to Families First, formerly Child Services and Family Counseling Center, where she served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Atlanta agency in 1980-1981, and served on the national Board of Directors of Family Service Association of America. She combined her love of theatre with her commitment to community service in helping organize Plays For Living, the agency?s educational program presenting plays that dramatize social problems. She was a founder and original Board Member of GA. CASA. She served for many years as a tutor with Literacy Action. She was an active member of Glenn Memorial Methodist Church, where she served in a number of capacities over many decades. She is survived by her daughter, Susan Howell Branch, her son, E. Thomas Branch Jr. and his wife, Catherine Nort Branch, and their children, Mary Susan Branch and Laura Ellen Branch, all of Atlanta, and her sisters, Virginia Eisenhart of Rochester, New York, Marion Stuart of Vero Beach, Florida, her brother, Arthur Hyde Cotins of St James, New York, and many nieces and nephews. The family will receive visitors at A. S. Turner & Sons at 2773 North Decatur Road in Decatur Georgia on Tuesday evening May 17th  from 6 to 8 pm. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, May 18th at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Families First, P.O. Box 7948 Station C, Atlanta, GA 30357-0948, or to GA. CASA, 1776 Peachtree Road, Suite 219, South Tower, Atlanta, GA 30309. A. S. Turner & Sons