Another Solider has gone Home Grandfather of Beene Family Members Passes Away Posted 06/29/05 Fresno, CA - On Saturday, June 18, Cecil Odell Branson, grandfather of Chrysta Beene and Drea Beene (Landon Beene's wife), went home to be with the Lord. Cecil Branson, age 79 retired pastoring "Evangel Tabernacle (Praise Center)" in Fresno, California after 25 years, in August of 2004. During the course of his ministry there, Evangel Tabernacle regularly hosted many Southern Gospel artists as they traveled west, including The Florida Boys, Down East Boys, The Greene's, Dixie Melody Boys, The Beene Family, Daryl Williams Trio, Ivan Parker, Anthony Burger, Aaron Wilburn and a host of others. The musical influence of this family and church was also a training ground for Chrysta Beene (Branson) and Landon Beene, members of the popular group The Beene Family, before they began their ministry and relocated to Kingsport, Tennessee. One of the highlights of Cecil's year was an annual trip he took to the Albert Brumley Sing, where he was able to listen to many of his favorite Southern Gospel Groups. Cecil (or Pawpaw, as he was affectionately referred to by family members) had traveled to hear The Beene Family sing last Friday evening in Clovis, California. Family members commented on Pawpaw's joyous spirit as he listened to his granddaughter sing, and spent time visiting with a majority of his kids and grandkids after the concert. After saying goodbye, Pawpaw retired for the evening, and began his 90-minute journey home, that detoured him to a higher route with Jesus, and his departed wife "Meme" Branson. Chrysta's husband, Brandon Beene commented, "Pawpaw left this world listening to his granddaughter sing, and entered Heaven hearing Meme sing". The Funeral was held on Wednesday, June 22, at 10:00 a.m. at Landmark Christian Center in Porterville, California. Return to photos