Mary Estelle Walker Brannen made her journey to her heavenly home on May 4, 2026 at W. Frank Wells Nursing Home surrounded by her beloved daughters and family members. Mary was born on September 23, 1933 to the late Lonnie Buford Taylor and Ethel Theo Taylor. She was a lifelong resident of Macclenny, Florida.

Mary graduated from Baker County High School where she was a member of the girls' basketball team. She continued her love of sports, especially Gator football and basketball, and any sport or activity in which family members were participants.

During her first marriage to V.E. (Speck) Walker, they raised their two daughters, Mary Kay and Jeana, in Macclenny. She was an active member of Faith Baptist Church of Macclenny where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday school and mentored young married couples. She was a school bus driver for 27 years on the same route. She was also a substitute teacher and fully involved as a band parent and cheerleader parent with both daughters. She continued her involvement in all activities of her grandsons and great grandchildren all her life with as much enthusiasm as she did with her daughters.

In her second marriage to Grover L. Brannen, Mary enjoyed traveling in their motor home and fishing trips. She especially loved Biloxi, Mississippi, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Cherokee, North Carolina and fresh water fishing in Florida. She and Grover attended Glen Baptist Church and when her health declined, she watched the live stream from home. She loved God and read her Bible from cover to cover at least two times.

Her last year of life was spent in the loving care of W. Frank Wells Nursing Home and her daughters and family members. She had a great sense of humor, was feisty and always determined to stay up to date on the activities of all family members. She loved her friends and family deeply and had a smile and beautiful blue eyes that helped charm anyone she met. While her love for her family was obvious, she had a very special bond with her nephew whom she referred to as her brother, Bobby Gene Johns, Sr. and her great grandchildren, Kinsley, Kenadee, and Kade.

Mary, affectionately known as Nana, will be greatly missed. Her family rests assured in her salvation and will see her again in eternity.

Mary is survived by her daughters, Mary Kay Unkelbach Hicks (Robert), Jeana Elizabeth Duval (Phil), grandsons, Dane Taylor Unkelbach and Klate Taylor Duval, great grandchildren, Kinsley, Kenadee, Kade and their mother, Kasey Brown, nephews, nieces, and step children and their families.

A Celebration of Ms. Mary’s life will be held Thursday, May 7, 2026 in the chapel of Guerry Forbes Funeral Home at 3:00 PM. The family will receive friends at 2:00 PM and interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery.

Hawke M.T. Forbes and the staff of Guerry Forbes Funeral Home are honored to assist the family with arrangements.