Sarah Ann Rice Branks

Sarah Ann Rice Branks, 71, of Mills River, NC, died Sunday, October 3, 2021 at Mission Hospital.

A native of Buncombe County, she was the daughter of the late Roberta Elizabeth Rogers Rice and Oliver Jackson Rice.  She is also preceded in death by her husband, Ted Junior Branks; a son Michael William Branks; a sister, Gaynell Lemon; and a brother, Roger Rice and his wife Frankie.

Sarah attended Cherryville High School in Cherryville, NC.  She was a custodian at Pardee hospital for over 20 years.  Sarah enjoyed knitting, crossword puzzles, and watching television.

She is survived by a daughter, Donna Sue Branks Sutton of Mills River; two sons, Timothy Lee Branks of Arden, and Terry Lee Branks of Mills River; eight grandchildren, Austin Vance Sutton, Sharlet Ann Sutton Smith, Colby Nicholas Tyler Branks, Dustin William Branks, Brandon Lee Branks, Michael Lee Branks, Daniel Smith, and Amada Lorene Branks Morris; eight great-grandchildren, Makayla Oleta Smith, Mia-Letty Jane Smith, Roman Anthony Smith, Skyler Elizabeth Rose Branks, Michael Wayne Branks, Gabriel Junior Branks, Payton Branks, and Adailyn Branks; five brothers, John Rice and his wife Carloyn of Danton Beach, FL, Paul Rice and his wife Juanita of Bessemer City, NC, Ronald Rice and his wife Imelda of Salsbury, NC, Oliver Rice and his wife Twila of Bedford, PA, and Lynn Rice and his wife Mary of Fredericksburg, VA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 9, 2021, at Shuler Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, make donations to Shuler Funeral Home for funeral expenses.