Mattie Jean Grafton was born February 22, 1931, in Ocoee, Florida, as the sixth child of Joseph Michael and Mabel Flowers (Arnett) Grafton. She died on September 24, 2023, at 9:36 a.m. in the home where she was born. Jean thrived in Ocoee and was very active as a cheerleader, a member of the Ocoee High School girls basketball team, and Miss Ocoee High School.
When the issue of pronouns was introduced in the last few years, Jean said emphatically that she identifies as a musician. She was recruited to serve in the Ocoee Christian Church choir at the age of ten. She continued to develop her singing skills and majored in music at Barry College. It was always a great comfort to hear singing wherever Jean was. She was rich in her faith and loved her church.
Jean never met a stranger. She always made people feel like they were the only person who was important right then. If you ever needed someone to listen to you, Jean was ready. She loved to travel and was always ready for an adventure. Over the years, Jean visited almost every state, and several countries including France, Italy, Japan, China, Amsterdam, and many other places. Her traveling partners were family and friends, choir buddies, other pension trustees, or anyone who wanted to go anywhere.
She modeled love and acceptance. As Jean neared the end of her time here with us, she made sure she told each person, “I love you. You are beautiful (or handsome).” When asked about it, she said we all need to see the beauty everywhere.
Jean served the City of Ocoee as the City Clerk, Supervisor of Elections, and as a Certified Public Pension Trustee. Her sense of humor was an integral part of her personality. When she retired, her calling card said, “Certified Public Pension Trustee, Retired City Clerk, experienced and fully qualified to listen to your complaints with a straight face – no laughing, yawning, or smirking. Will also listen to your health problems, but I will look bored.”
Mattie Jean was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, and two of her sons, Michael Thomas Branche and Walter Patrick Branche. She is survived by her children Susan Branche Poteet (Neal), Mary Price Bonner Branche, and Robert (Robb) Malcolm Branche (Val); her grandchildren Joe Branche(Grace), Bill Methvin (Cathy), Whitney Rogers (Lina), Sara Boatwright, Susan Denkins (Carlos), Jesse Denkins (Mekeda), Kaleena; her great-grandchildren Sophia and Alex Branche, Morgan (Gunnar) and Chandler Methvin, Kristopher and Isabella Rogers, Noah Denkins, Zoe Brown, Ricky, Caleb, and Ellie Castro, Lizzy, Olivia, Lilly and Delilah Denkins, Kamryn Alexander; and her great-great-grandchild Jackson Methvin.
In Jean’s honor we invite you to ask yourself, “What would Jean do?” Clear the air with someone. Forgive. Be lavish in your forgiveness of each other. Share a cup of anything, and talk. Smile, laugh, and be happy. Enjoy life and spread some love.
Services will be held Sunday, October 8, 2023, with family visitation at Ocoee Christian Church at noon, followed by the service at 1:00 p.m.