Cleota “Tobi” Branam

Cleota “Tobi” Branam

Cedar Rapids

Cleota “Tobi” Branam, 85, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa passed away on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, at UnityPoint-St. Luke’s Hospital. A visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023, at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church: 4700 Johnson Ave. NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023, at the church, with a visitation beginning one hour prior.

Tobi was born at home in Grafton, W. Va., on July 25, 1938. She was the middle child and second daughter of George Ottis Gawthrop and Alta Lillian Lawler Gawthrop. The family moved to Michigan when she was a senior in high school. Tobi graduated from Michigan State University in 1960, with a bachelor’s in

Science in Nursing degree. She then attended Wayne State University and in 1968, achieved her master’s in Sscience in Nursing degree.

On July 29, 1972, she married the love of her life, James “Jim” Branam. They had two children, Brian (1975) and Bradley (1978). Tobi always considered the greatest accomplishment of her life, with the help from her loving Savior, to be sharing life with her husband Jim, and raising their sons to be thoughtful, loving, considerate, responsible, and independent men. All other accomplishments pale in comparison.

She is survived by her husband, Jim Branam of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; two sons, Brian Branam of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Bradley Branam (Erika Backstrom) of Eugene, Ore.; a sister, Carolyn Leggett of Fredericksburg, Va.; sister-in-law, Marybeth Dowden of Kokomo, Ind.; and loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members.

Tobi was preceded by her parents, three nephews, a brother, George and sister-in-law Ettamae Gawthrop of Louisville, Ky.

Memorials may be made to St. Mark’s United Methodist church in memory of Tobi.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.