Sarah Sue (Burley) Parsons of Evart died Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2024 in Grand Rapids. She was 78 years old.

She was born March 31, 1946 to Otis and Blanche (Stitt) Burley. She was the eleventh of twelve children.

Sarah graduated from Holton High School in 1964 and attended Spring Arbor College for a year. She married George Lee Parsons on March 19, 1965 and moved to Evart where she would live for the rest of her life. George preceded her in death on Dec. 25, 2001.

She was an active member of Evart Free Methodist Church, serving in a variety of leadership and volunteer positions including Sunday School teacher, youth group leader, member and officer of numerous committees, and song leader. She served her community as Evart Township treasurer, school board member of both Evart Public Schools and Mecosta-Osceola Intermediate School District, 4-H leader, Evart Public Library board member, and active supporter of artistic and athletic programs of the public schools.

She loved singing in her church, her community, and with her sisters. Family and friends often heard her rich alto voice singing hymns and lullabies as she prepared meals, did chores, or cared for her children, nieces and nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and neighbor babies.

Survivors include: children, G. Lee (Robin) Parsons II of Pontiac, Alex (Kelly) Parsons of St. Johns, Shila (Kevin) Kiander of Evart, Nathan (Jenny) Parsons of Benton Harbor, and Kendra (Jamie) Ziert of Tomahawk, Wisconsin; siblings, Marlene Hudson, Nathan (Alberta) Burley, Joy (Al) Owens, and Cyntha (Gary) Hunter; in-laws, J. Mark Parsons, Gloria (Bill) VanBurgel and Anna (Tom) Parsons Elder; grandchildren, Carmen (Jon) Slaughter, Daena Parsons, Graciela (Josh) Parsons Ridgeway, Emma Parsons, Caroline Parsons, Nathan (Emily) Stein, Kelsey (Tim) Richards, Sarah Beth Kiander, Katie (Adam) Stoll, Kirsten (Dona) Parsons, Arden Ziert, Lydia Ziert, and Anita Ziert; great-grandchildren, Gideon, Titus, and Esther Slaughter, Saige and Sutton Parsons, and Shila Richards.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 18 from 4-7 p.m. and on Monday, August 19 from 10-11 a.m. A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. All services will be held at Evart Free Methodist Church, 6153 95th Avenue, Evart, MI. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery in Evart.