Sara Rhea

Mrs. Sara Carpenter Rhea, 93, passed away Monday, February 17, 2014. She is preceded in death by her parents, Clarence Eugene and Gaddie Lee Harrelson Carpenter; ex-husband, Robert Bruce Rhea; brothers, Alton , Stowe, Ray and Cone Carpenter; and sister, Catherine Carpenter Hottle.

Mrs. Rhea was born in Cherryville , North Carolina on September 11, 1920. She moved from Cherryville to Bristol , Tennessee in 1947. She worked at D.B. Rylands Jewelry Store in Bristol , Tennessee for 30 years. Mrs. Rhea was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother who provided nurture with an emphasis on the Christian life. She was an avid gardener and wonderful cook.

She is survived by son, Robert Bruce Rhea; daughter, Ann Rhea Ham and her husband John, granddaughters, Ellen Ham Baggenstoss and her husband Andy, and Sara Ham; and great-granddaughters, Lydia and Kaitlyn Baggenstoss.

The family will receive friends Friday, February 21, 2014 from 4:00 to 5:30 PM at First Presbyterian Church, Bristol , Tennessee . The funeral service will follow at 5:30 PM with Rev. Dr. David Welch officiating. A private committal and inurnment will be held at Bethlehem United Methodist Church Cemetery in Cherryville , North Carolina at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Healing Hands Health Care, 210 Memorial Drive , Bristol , Tennessee 37620-1704 or to First Presbyterian Church, 701 Florida Avenue , Bristol , Tennessee 37620 .

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the many friends who supported her over the years.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family and viewed by visiting www.oakley-cook.com . Arrangements especially for Mrs. Rhea and her family have been made through Oakley-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory.