Joalene H. Branstetter passed away peacefully August 31, 2026.

She was born on April 20, 1920, in Shelby County, Texas, to William J. Harris and Lillie Kate (Bell) Harris. Joalene graduated high school in 1937 from Three Rivers High School and married Delbert December 20, 1937. She was both strong and intelligent and could do anything to which she set her mind, and she set her mind to a lot. In her farm life, she could milk a cow, throw a calf, plow a field, and pull 400 pounds of cotton a day. She could also hold her own with a rifle. When circumstances changed, the family relocated to Corpus Christi, where she began her nursing career as an LVN in 1964. She became an RN in 1971 and continued her career with the Nueces County Health Department until her retirement in 1987.

Joalene was preceded in death by her parents, William J. Harris and Lillie Kate (Bell) Harris; her husband of 66 years, Delbert Leon Branstetter; son, Lendal Leon Branstetter; Grandson, James Alan Branstetter; seven siblings, Jim Truit Harris, William Ward Harris, Bernard Hawthorne Harris, Ahleen Bell Harris, Lillie Othel Harris, Oletta Fadelle Harris and Dawanda Harris Riddick.

She is survived by her daughter, Laverne Hughes of Bishop, Texas; son, Dale Edward Branstetter and wife, Ruth of Rockwall, Texas, son, Robert Allen Branstetter and wife Laura of San Antonio, Texas; 10 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and 16 great-great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Galloway & Sons Funeral Home in Three Rivers, Texas. The funeral service will follow at 10 a.m. at the same location.

Burial will follow at White Creek Cemetery in Three Rivers, Texas.