Arminta Matilda "Tillie" (Branstetter) Moreland

Arminta Matilda “Tillie” Branstetter Moreland, 83, of St. James, Mo., passed away on March 30, 2024 at the Phelps Health Hospital in Rolla, Mo. 

 Tillie was born on June 16, 1940, to Morris Elcanah Branstetter and Sarah Frances (Scantlin) Branstetter on the Davis place in Phelps County.  Tillie was a 1958 graduate of John F. Hodge High School in St. James, Mo.  Following graduation, Tillie married her high school sweetheart Rainey P. Moreland in 1959, at the Church of Christ in St. James, Mo. Rainey and Tillie had two sons, Michael Eugene Moreland and Keith Edward Moreland. 

 Tillie entered into the workforce following high school graduation; she enjoyed working at a few places in her community over the years. One of her favorites being at the dress factory in Rolla, Mo. She enjoyed working at the dress factory. Many times, through the years she talked about the work that she did there and the people that she enjoyed working with there.

 In 1993, Tillie retired from the Callaway Nuclear Plant after ten years of employment and moved back to the St. James/Vichy area where she and Rainey enjoyed spending time on the family farm near her family and friends.  She truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures. Tillie enjoyed spending time playing with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, fishing, sewing, making crafts, solving crossword puzzles, cooking, playing cards and visiting with her family and friends every chance she had.  

 Tillie was kind and generous with her time and extremely thoughtful in everything that she did. In 2001, Tillie started working at the Jones Funeral Home where she took pride in assisting Richard with funeral planning and arrangements. She had the ability to make everyone feel comfortable, and she treated every family with love and respect. Her love for the people in her community was shown through each service that she helped prepare.

 Tillie was a member of the Broadway Baptist Church, in St James Mo. where they were planning to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary later this year.

Arminta Matilda (Branstetter) Moreland is survived by her husband, Rainey P. Moreland; two sons, Michael Eugene Moreland of St. James, Mo. and Keith Edward Moreland and wife Jill (Irwin) Moreland of Rolla, Mo.; grandchildren, Michael Shannon Moreland and wife, Emily Sue (Gruver) Moreland of St. James Mo., Macy Moreland and Sophie Moreland of Rolla, Mo.; Great grandchildren, Savannah Lea Matilda Moreland and Michael James Paxton Moreland of St. James, Mo; two brothers, Jim Branstetter and wife Jean (Ness) Branstetter of St. James, Mo., Richard “Dick” Branstetter and wife, Pam (Roark) Branstetter of St. James, Mo.; Two sisters, Bonnie (Branstetter) Hoffmeister and husband, Harold Hoffmeister of Rolla, Mo., and Linda (Branstetter) Conway and husband, Leon Conway of St. James, Mo.; sister in law, Judith (Herndon) Branstetter of Jeff City, Mo.; and many nieces and nephews all who she loved dearly.

Tillie was preceded in death by her parents, Morris Elcanah Branstetter and Sarah Frances (Scantlin) Branstetter; brothers, Danny Branstetter and John Branstetter; sister, Wanda James and her husband, Charley James; and grandson, Ryan Walter Moreland.

Visitation will be 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM Friday, April 5, 2024 at Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Mo.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Saturday, April 6, 2023 at Jones Funeral Home with Kerry Feeler officiating. Pallbearers will be Mark James, Chris Branstetter, Bob Hoffmeister, Brad Conway, Phil Branstetter, Steve Branstetter, and Kevin Conway. Honorary Pallbearers will be Shannon Moreland, Scott Feeler, Bryan Licklider and Richard Jones. Burial will be in the Hickory Grove Cemetery in Vichy, Mo.

 In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Broadway Baptist Church.

 Online condolences may be entered at jonesfunerals.com.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Richard Jones of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Mo.

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