Alice Bates Branks

Alice Gertrude Bates Branks, 95, passed away Saturday, January 17, 2015. Alice was born in Asheville, the daughter of the late Arthur Major and Gertrude Anderson Bates. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Andy Branks and two sons, Claude and Forest Branks. She was a loving mother and a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Alice is survived by five children, Gene Childres and his wife, Penny, of Plant City, FL, Joanna Hensley-Baltzo and her husband, Stan, of Phoenix, AZ, Carolyn Moore and her husband, Randy, of Travelers Rest, SC, Marie Martinsen and her companion, J.C. Baldwin, of Fairview and Michael Branks and his wife, Janice, of Hazel Green, AL. Also surviving are eleven grandchildren, twenty great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren. Alice was preceded in death by three sisters, Rebecca Metz, Ruby Fowler and Margaret Burrell and four brothers, George, Ed, Clyde and Arthur Bates. A funeral service will be held at 11 am Monday in Mt. Zion Baptist Church conducted by the Reverends Don Hare and Cecil Robinson. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.