Virginia Ann (Branch) Maple

Virginia Ann (Branch) Maple was the youngest of seven children born to Clarence Sr. and Zelma Odessa (Crider) Branch on September 19, 1944, in Huntington, Tennessee. Virginia relocated to Saginaw, Michigan with her family at the age of eight, and went on to graduate from Saginaw High School with the Class of 1962. Many years later, she would continue her education at Saginaw Valley State University, where she graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music, in May 1996.

Virginia started her career as a switchboard operator at Michigan Bell Telephone and continued her work at the Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center, Saginaw, Michigan. As a result of health issues that severely impaired her vision, Virginia was forced into early retirement.

Starting at a very early age, Viriginia began living her life for the LORD when she accepted Christ as her personal savior, while under the pastoral care of Rev. R. B. Corley, Sr. at True Vine Missionary Baptist Church. For several years, Virginia was a faithful member of Greater Williams Temple Church of God in Christ under the late Bishop Herbert J. Williams. She later became a member of True Vine once more, this time under Pastor Paul E. Broaddus. Due to escalating health issues, Virginia moved to Southfield, MI to be near other family members, namely her big sister, Brooxie. Virginia joined Dexter Avenue Baptist Church of Detroit Michigan where Reverend Richard R. White, III is the pastor. Throughout her life Virginia has ministered the Word of GOD through song. As a child she was a member of a popular gospel quartet called the Gospelettes. Virginia, along with her sisters. Alice Imogene, Brooxie Lee, and dear friend Velma Irvin Templeton were the first, all female, African American gospel quartet of Saginaw, Michigan. Throughout her life, Virginia used her GOD given gifts to give Him praise and minister His Word with multiple church choirs as well as the Saginaw Valley State University Choir.

In 1968, Virginia Ann entered holy matrimony with Carl G. Maple, and their union was blessed with a son, Quentin Carl. Virginia was a devoted mother and a dutiful daughter who defied all limitations and challenges incurred by her health to live a blessed and productive life that was a cherished blessing to many other lives. While raising her son, she assumed the role of caregiver to her parents, and she remained active in the music ministry of Zion Missionary Baptist Church, under the late Pastor Roosevelt Austin.

“Aunt Sugar” to some, “Ginnann” (Virginia-Ann) to many others, Virginia Maple was a loving mother, aunt, daughter, sister, and dear friend. She was known to all for her dedication to excellence in all that she did. Whether she was cooking, singing, playing the piano, directing the choir, caring for family, or working, Virginia did it all as if she were doing it unto the LORD- She gave her very best of efforts. Her passion for GOD, family and music is irreplaceable and will be sorely missed by all the souls she has touched in her lifetime. The way Virginia spoke her mind, and her sometimes, mischievous sense of humor, will be missed as well.

On Saturday February 25th of 2022, Virginia Maple answered GOD’s call to take her rest with Him.

She is survived by her son Quentin Carl Maple, devoted sister Brooxie L. Fentress, several loving nieces and nephews, three sisters-in-law: Josephine Pearson, Jean Wallick, and Barbara Branch; one brother-in-law: Thomas J., as well as many dear friends. 

She was preceded in her homegoing, by that of her beloved parents, her sister Alice, her brothers Ernest, Ivan Onus, Neosho, and Clarence Jr.