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Margo Branscomb
13 years ago

I have so many memories of Aunt Jane and they almost always include paint. One summer I stayed in Birmingham and we painted the house. Other times she visited us and painted our portraits. I have sketches of the beach, seashore, Duffy's Bend, and more. Sparkeling eyes and big smiles. She brightened the day!

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Sandra Butler
14 years ago

I just found out today that Jane passed away. I recently moved across the street from Jane and Ben. Jane went out of her way to get me involved in the art community in Birmingham. I was honored to have visited in her home and to have seen her art work. She was such a giving person, so intelligent and so interesting.

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9 March 2010 Dear Jane, Wish you were here—on our planet, that is. I know no one loves a celebration more than you do. What a celebration you planned for us! The music for meditation and silent prayer was glorious, as were the hymns we sang in unison. “A Balm in Gilead” always consoles, and the soloist was particularly gifted. “Hymn to Joy” might have been my favorite. The readings inspired, and the fact that you had so few words said about your well-lived life spoke more convincingly of your generosity, grace and inner peace than any testimonial could have. The last time I heard your strong, ever-positive voice was on a phone message but four short weeks ago. When you called to have me “remove your teacup” from the Nineteenth Century Club tea table at my home, you gave me no hint that you might be “feeling poorly.” I now regret not calling you back to relay the following: * Conversations with you guaranteed me smiles and often laughter, regardless of the day I had had. * Your lavish brushstrokes in our oil painting of magnolias almost evoke their Southern scent. * Every day I view our painting of two women of color sharing a drink in an exotic clime. It strengthens my resolve to rejoice in and serve sisters everywhere. I need you to know that I rejoiced in you, my sister Jane, although I know I missed opportunities to serve you that your determined self-sufficiency hid from me. * I appreciate your allowing me to use a copy of one of your pieces for the cover of our Nineteenth Century Senior Memories collection. I so enjoyed interviewing your adoring fan Ben for your bio. * You are one of a very few who possessed the magical aplomb to pull off “spur-of-the-moment.” * I did not go to see your last exhibit because I cannot afford “beauty for sale” right now and, once I see it, I want it. * You made a rolicking playground of your home for musicians like Chuck, Ted, and your Ben and for ever-appreciative listeners like myself. * You brought the element of surprise into the room with you. * You were my reliable, supportive ally and friend--with a welcoming smile that embraced me, along with a world full of us flawed humans. * With your teacup removed, Nineteenth Century meetings will lack your luster and your lilt. * I already miss you, my talented, iron-willed, loving, charismatic, charming, witty, and exhilarating role model. * I love you. Mary Johnson-Butterworth

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Paul Joffrion
14 years ago

My occasions to enjoy Jane's company have been infrequent but have spanned decades. In mid-January I received a short note from her on one of her artfully arranged, original cards. In closing she said "When are you coming back to Birmingham?" As I thought of her then, (and now), I saw her smile, how she smiles with her eyes as well as her cheeks, and her laughter imbedded in conversation and company as both punctuation and substance. Years ago a friend of mine and I needed a place to roost in Birmingham for a tennis tournament the summer after our senior year in high school. I don't recall how the arrangement unfolded, but we got set up in the Branscomb household for the week; Janie and Betsy even came out to root us on as a stronger, more formidable doubles team trounced us on the court. Sometime during the week Jane confessed that at the beginning of this venture of hosting she had wondered what was she going to do with a couple of tennis players crashing the place for the week, and yet it had turned out to be more than okay. I just remember that we had fun and felt welcomed. Paul

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Sue stinson
14 years ago

Jane will always bloom in my garden from a cutting of a Angel Wing Begonia she gave me three years ago. When the beautiful pink blooms come I will think of Jane. I will miss her, she was so dear.

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The family
14 years ago

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The family
14 years ago

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Virginia Hillhouse
14 years ago

It was always a pleasure to come to Jane's home for the Nineteenth Century Club. Not only did she and Ben have a wonderful house, but Jane also had unique and beautiful flower arrangements. I remember one time in particular when the business went on and on and on. Realizing the late hour, Jane got up and began passing the sandwiches and sweets. We were all happy. Virginia Hillhouse

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I had the fortune of growing up next to Dr. and Mrs. Branscomb, and they were like adopted grandparents. Their door was always open to their precocious little neighbor. I remember Mrs. Branscomb sharing her split pea soup with me, letting me play on her harpsichord, showing me her "secret" door, watching the fish in her ponds with me, and many other lovely afternoons. For years I kept the burro pinata they brought me from a trip to Mexico on display in my bedroom, and the portrait Mrs. Branscomb painted of my brother and me is one of my favorite things in my parents' home. I've always thought of the Branscombs as family - they are well loved, and she will be very missed.

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Dorothy G. Jones
14 years ago

I will miss her, she was truly one of a kind ,intelligent, generous,talented ,and fun-loving. She was spontaneous, sudden phone calls to discuss recipes, spices, what Ben was cooking, then gone until next time. Her painting was strong,full of color, solid and true. My thoughts are with her family she loved so well. She will be missed. Love from a friend ,Dorothy G. Jones

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Mom with Paintbrush
14 years ago

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Jane Branscomb was a cousin to my by marriage. Ben's father and my father, Rev. R. Edwin Branscomb, were half brothers. Jane was an intelligent, attractive, delightful, and charming wife, mother, and hostest. She and Ben hosted many a gathering for families and friends and over night stays. I still have a post card she sent to me with a message on on side and on the other one of her artistic drawings on a colorful sunset. Although she has gone through the sunset of life, we retain many sunny merories of her.

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Sally Wood Johnson
14 years ago

Jane Branscomb was a dear friend. We were connected through the practicing of art and our husbands' practicing of medicine. Whatever life situation I was faced with, Jane was always there. In happy times, with home weddings, she arrived with armloads of flowers. In sad times, with family deaths, she arrived with food. In between, she came to visit with books and beautiful ideas. We entertained together. She entertained for me, even when special arrangements had to be made. We are so glad she added the life of her daughter, Betsy, to our community! The world is lucky to have three other daughters of Jane and Ben to know. Thank you, God, for Jane's life.

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Jane was one of the most talented women I have ever known. She was a talented artist, a gourmet cook, an inspired gardener, a gracious hostess, and a friend to many. I am a cousin living away from all family and Jane was so kind to send notes occasionally regarding family matters and the bonus was always one of her sketches. She also would call to check on my family and me and always issued an invitation to come and stay in her home. Her door was always open for a B&B and my family and I have had some wonderful times there with her and Ben. One of my favorite memories of Jane’s marvelous entertaining talent was the Japanese themed dinner party for couples she and Ben gave for my fiancé and me prior to our wedding. I had assumed that the party was Japanese inspired because the house they designed had a Japanese flair, along with coy ponds and beautiful flower gardens, planted and tended by Jane. I have later learned that because they did not have enough chairs for every one to be seated for dinner, they decided if they planned a Japanese party we could sit on the floor and eat sukiyaki, which is what was served for dinner. Melinda, their daughter, and a friend were dressed in kimonos, had painted white faces, pinned up hair, and carried beautiful fans. They danced beautifully for us. The highlight of the evening was a flower-arranging contest with flowers Ben had collected from the rooms of patients discharged from the University of Alabama Hospital. Jane invited a friend who taught Ikebana to come and give us a short Ikebana lesson. Vases and kenzans were provided and we were set free to create. A large scroll was provided for all the guests to sign; I still have this as a remembrance of such a special night. It was a party to remember! I have been studying Ikebana for several years since I retired and have been invited to take a Master’s class. When asked how I became interested in Ikebana, I recounted the above story of my first encounter with Ikebana at Ben and Jane’s. I think the desire to learn more about this flower art was germinated at that party. I will miss her artsy notes, her cheery calls, her gardening tips, her special recipes, and all those delightful qualities that made her Jane.

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Sheryl Cooper
14 years ago

Tony & I also had dinner at Ben and Janes! We had so much fun and enjoyed their friendship them over the years so much! Jane had a Birthday Party for Ben at Duffy's Bend years ago and brought all the goodies and invited family and friends which was another fun time. She was always interested in others and how they were doing! Her cards we received we cherished - Tony always made a point to tell me that they were one of Jane's pieces of artwork - so over the years we have kept all her cards and framed them! I am going to miss Jane.

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Geoffrey Shepherd
14 years ago

As a friend of the Joe family, I saw Jane only briefly. But her art made a deep impression on this amateur painter. You can see her powerful imagination and fine use of color especially in four of the Village Painter set: Kitchens in the Colonies, Dreams of Ancient Italy, Mixed Media, and The Journey Ahead. The variety is remarkable, and the execution is at a very high level. The colors are aggressive in some, exquisite in others. The subjects range from deep to witty. This was an exceedingly fine artist, by any reckoning, with a wide range. There are armies of aspiring artists who would dearly love to produce just one such image. I am one of that army.

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Joanna Ware
14 years ago

There are several memories that come to mind: Jane in her garden in the early spring showing me the pleasing results of her gardening enterprise; Jane at Lyda Rose Gallery with her art friends enjoying the crowd during an opening night; Jane at her home celebrating Betsy's birthday with Ben, George, Henry, Winston and guests. She was indeed a rare individual. There is no doubt that we can celebrate her life! I believe that she would want that.

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Jane was a wonderful friend and a true inspiration. Being a transplant to Birmingham, I benefited from her ability to connect people. She had the knack of bringing me a book, giving me a call, sharing a plant with me or inviting me to the symphony right when I was missing my family so far away. She always made me feel like one of her people! And I am so proud to call her my dear friend.

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Bill Warren
14 years ago

She made things happen that were to be enjoyed by others. More should be written about the grand social times to be had with Jane and Ben that combined good fun, friends and excellent food . In recent years the many wonderful food recipes prepared and served in their warm house were only exponentially exceeded by the vast friendships that were fed. Jane was a very tolerant wife of a Duffys Bend hunting club member and, with the assistance of Ben in their team kitchen, did not shy from wild game recipes. Patty and I benefited from the likes of venison stroganoff, and as we dined , were made to feel as if we were among some of their most interesting friends. And Jane had the most interesting friends. Riding to Duffy’s with Ben, Jane’s extraordinary everyday life would often be the topic. In the course of one recent trip down to Duffy’s I mentioned to Ben someone I’d run across who Jane knew, who’d been down by life’s events, but was now remarried and on the mend. Ben said “Have you got their number? Jane will want to have them over for dinner”.

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Margaret Porter
14 years ago

Jane's creativity and joy were infectious. Always with a smile on her face, she would look you in the eye and make you feel important and loved. Her eyes sparkled when she talked about her girls. She was always recommending a new book or inviting friends to a Village Painter show. She was a special 19th Century Club senior with an engaging youthful attitude. I will miss her positive energy but she is blessed to have a family that will carry forward her legacy. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.

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I was blessed that Jane asked me to consider joining the Village Painters- and after a brief show and tell, I was in and painting in the studio with her every Tuesday. This was a great treat. To be in studio with someone who was actively creating new innovative art on a daily basis, was inspiring, synergistic and supportive for my own creative and artistic nature. She was full of ideas about what we can do to make the group continue it's legacy of learning and outreach in art, and was always planning the next exhibit. One un-realized plan that she had was to produce a book which chronicled the contributions of the Village Painters, an important salon group of women painters in Birmingham that started in 1949 (Jane was a key member of this group). After Betsy called me to tell me the news of Jane's admission to the UAB Palliative Hospice service, I had a vivid dream of Jane in studio- giving me another "suggestion" and list of things that should be taken care of. I hear you Jane, and that book will come to fruition! The last day Jane was in studio- I brought in a King Cake (hence my icon). I'll let Ben share what she told us - about what she and Ben were giving up for Lent. We always enjoyed our time painting- and our time at lunch on Tuesdays- when the stories flowed, and the laughter ensued. Her sense of humor, creativity, mentoring and FRIENDSHIP will be missed by me and the other Village Painters. Tuesdays will never be the same without you strolling in with "another great idea" - for art, our group, and life's joys. Carolynn Thomas Jones Village Painter

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Lamar ager
14 years ago

The year was 1964, I was fourteen years old. Several Birmingham families departed for Spring break (a.k.a. AEA) to Florida in various forms of camping equipment – the eight Agers were in a pop-up camper. Among the families were the Branscombs, the Walter Scotts and the Dunbars. We hooked up occasionally at various state parks, one of which was Collier Seminole in the Everglades. Sitting around the fire that night listening to Ben playing the harmonica was very memorable to me – obviously. The Agers were carrying a canoe on top of their car which was not used for the entire trip except for a few minutes attempting to paddle out into the surf at Marco Island. At the time Marco was devoid of any development – a beautiful place. Being frustrated with the canoe surfing I walked up the beach and saw Jane sitting on top of a dune palette in hand. I sat down next to her and watched her paint. Seeing the seascape come together was even more memorable than Ben’s harmonica playing (sorry Ben, but it was). We had a really great conversation – I’m sure full of good advice for a fourteen year old. Unfortunately I was paying more attention to the painting than the advice. To this date I wish I had paid more attention to the words and less to the painting. Lamar Ager, February 28, 2010

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Jane was not only a warm, generous and loving spirit, she was an artist and a poet who loved sharing her talent. Her letters (never email) were always embellished with a little painting or sketch. My fondest memory was her note responding to my news that I, Ben's younger brother, and Anne Wells were engaged to be married. She sent us a tea kettle, and wrote "You can put the kettle on any date your settle on!" I love you Jane and will never forget what light and warmth you brought to all our lives.

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KC Branscomb Kelley
14 years ago

I have many memories of Aunt Jane - breakfasts at the house in Birmingham, the family all around the liviing room singing and making music and Jane just smiling from ear to ear. But what I remember most was how she would get this look in her eye when she came from painting, with oils everywhere and a bit messy in her hair and on her hands but with some kind of complete enthusiasm and passion in her eyes...it made me want to try to be creative too. Because I thought her secret was that she understood that even when the result wasn't perfection - the process was always its own reward. She and Angel Anne should raise some stir up there together - tough southerm ladies with a sense of humor and an eye for digging the best out of everyone around them. xx kc

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By the time we were teenagers, my friends were becoming mom's friends too. She drew out others through her genuine interest. If she had a few minutes with a sales clerk, she could (and would!) later tell you all the fascinating things she'd learned about them, their children's troubles, their husband's cousin's accomplishments, and where their family came from. Among other things, Mom instilled in me the value of networks, relationships, community, heritage, connection to place -- and all of the social behaviors and graces that maintain those things. Wedding gifts; thank you notes; meals for the sick; entertaining; letter-writing; checking up; staying in touch. - Janie

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BVB
14 years ago

My Mom was indefatigable. Dad and I love Mom's recent quip, when she said to Dad, "If I'd shot you when I first thought about it, I'd be out of prison by now." He didn't believe it because she also insisted that he had to live longer than she did. Reason: he served her breakfast in bed for the last couple of years. Melinda

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BVB
14 years ago

Everything about Jane's leaving us went as Jane and I had previously hoped and discussed. Her illness was very short and free of discomfort. All of our children and grandchildren were present and we had a loving and meaningful ceremony at her bedside. It's unnecessary to elaborate on Jane's wonderful life, but family, especially distant family, will appreciate your stories or vignettes about her. Wish warmest appreciation, Ben.

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