Barbara Jean Branstetter

EDMONTON – Barbara Jean Simmons Branstetter, 93, was born February 11, 1932, in the community of Finney in Barren County, KY. She peacefully met with her Lord and Savior on November 27, 2025. Mrs. W. Kenneth Branstetter was a member of God’s family and a founding member of South Edmonton Church of Christ. She was the daughter of the late Ernest L. Simmons and Gertrude Furlong Simmons. She was proud to be the wife for almost 64 years of the late W. Kenneth Branstetter. She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Ruth Smith, Ruby Everett; three brothers, Carl, Raymond, and Mark Simmons; and a granddaughter, Anna Beth Branstetter.

Barbara met her groom in 1946 on a regional 4-H trip. They had both won their County Electrical demonstration contest. Barbara electrified her grandmother’s sewing machine, and Kenneth electrified a hog brooder. The “spark” was made. Barbara and Kenneth were married on May 28, 1950. Barbara worked beside her husband, Kenneth, in many endeavors, keeping financial books for Central Furniture, rental properties, Metcalfe County Farmers Supply (MFS), and Cave Hill Motel. Outside of her family, Barbara’s proudest accomplishment was earning the recognition of Master Farm Homemaker from the Master Farm Homemaker Guild of Kentucky. Other notable accomplishments include Metcalfe County Homemaker Club Member for 70+ years, 2013 Jim C. Coleman Community Service Award, Honorary Life Member of the Metcalfe County Farm Bureau, Metcalfe County 4-H Council Member for over 50 Years, Kentucky Colonel, Certificate of Achievement Mid-South Bible Institute, Bible School Teacher for over 60 years, Business Woman, and Inn Keeper.

Survivors include three children and spouses, Mike and Betty Branstetter of Edmonton, KY; Martha (Marna) and Walton Harless of Huntsville, AL; and Mark and Jackie Branstetter of Smithville, TN. Eight grandchildren who knew her as “Mom B”, Amy Branstetter, Rachael (Matt) Milligan, Alyson (Ed) Branstetter-Spalding, Emily (Derek) Bruff, Ken (Felisha) Branstetter, Timothy (Molly) Harless, Luke Branstetter, and Mary Grace Branstetter. Fifteen great-grandchildren, Trey, Charles Thomas, Connor, Louisa, Harding, Daniel, Trenton, Neely Anna, Ellie, Will, Anna Clair, Crew, Callaway, Isaiah, and Lillian. She also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Funeral will be Sunday, November 30, 2025, at 2:30 pm at South Edmonton Church of Christ. Visitation will start at noon with burial to follow at Summer Shade Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Metcalfe County 4-H.

Butler Funeral is honored to be entrusted to the care of Mrs. Branstetter.