Elissa Rene Branch's Obituary
Elissa Rene Branch, 25, of Carthage, was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on Friday, November 28, 2025. Special people waiting for her were her forever love, Brody Wedgeworth, her Grandpa and Papa, among so many others. Elissa was born in Longview, Texas on May 5, 2000. Elissa attended Longview Schools - Doris McQueen, Hudson Pep and Foster Middle Schools, graduating from LHS, Class of 2018. Elissa earned her bachelor's degree in Media Arts from UNT in Denton in 2021. After college she took a job with HousingWire Media, where she was a Podcast Editor and Publisher, and was highly valued and respected by her team.
Elissa is preceded in death by her grandparents Doug Branch and Gaylon Sanders, and boyfriend Brody Wedgeworth.
Elissa is survived by her parents, Greg and Jalena Branch, sister Madison Branch, brother Dylan Branch, grandparents Sunny Branch and Wilma Sanders, all of Longview. She is also survived by special aunts and uncles Linda and Steve Sides of Hallsville, Deb and Molly Branch of Dallas, Andy and Sherry Ellsworth of Hallsville, and many other aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends, and by Jody and Evelyn Wedgeworth of Carthage, who she loved like family.
Elissa was a giver; she was kind, a brilliant light and a beautiful soul. She signed up to be an organ donor at the age of 16. She had so much more to give and now she gives her final and ultimate gift, the gift of life to others. Her light will shine forever in our lives and the lives of those she helped save.
Elissa was a member of Longview Missionary Baptist Church where she accepted Jesus at an early age and was involved in Awana, Youth Group, Children’s Chapel, Mission Trips, and VBS.
Elissa was a lover of music and cooking. She loved her cats Rico, Sasha, Spud and Ham, and her dog Nugget. She loved a cozy blanket and a good cup of coffee. She was a runner and avid reader. She loved hiking on the trails of East Texas and jeeping and hiking in the mountains of Colorado.
A Celebration of Life service is planned for Thursday, December 11 with visitation at 1:00 pm and service at 2:00 at Longview Missionary Baptist Church located at 800 E. Loop 281. We can’t say thank you enough to the life flight team, Christus Mother Francis Neuro-ICU unit staff, and Southwest Transplant Alliance (STA) in the extraordinary care our daughter received.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to STA online or mailed to STA Foundation 8190 Manderville Lane, Dallas, Texas 75231.
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