Wanda Kay Mitchem Sarks, 77, of Lerona, WV, passed away peacefully on October 19, 2025.
Born April 26, 1948, in Asco, WV, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Elsie Ford Mitchem. She was a resident of Asco the greater part of her life, until moving to Lerona, WV.
She worked as a nurse at McDowell Continuous Care in Gary, WV for 22 years. There she provided the best of care to all her patients. All of her coworkers remained dear to her heart. In life she loved a good Coca-Cola and to share an uplifting meme on Facebook. She enjoyed going to the Pipestem Flea Market and also loved a good auction.
Kay and Bill would also enjoy going to the cruise-ins on the Princeton strip. She had a knack about her that made the simplest things seem so special.
In addition to her parents, Wanda was preceded in death by her brother, Lonnie Mitchem and her brother Bernard Mitchem. Brothers-in-law, Rick Sarks, Arve Sarks, Harold Green, Wally Richards, and Lloyd Barnett. Sisters-in-law, Sue Barnett, Elsie Mitchem, Linda Richards, and Katie Sarks.
Survivors include husband, Billy Sarks; son, Darren (Connie) Sarks; daughter, Katherine (Gregg) Strong; four grandchildren, Jessica (Jamie) Stone, Robert (Ashley) Riggs, Justin (Caitlyn Mitchell) Riggs, Amber (Jacob) Strong-Vandyke; five great grandchildren, Colton Stone, Trevin Stone, Julianna VanDyke, Wyatt Riggs, and Scarlett Riggs; and one dearly loved sister, Louise Green.
A celebration of life for Wanda will be held, Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at 11:00 AM at The Cravens-Shires Funeral Home Chapel in Bluewell, WV, with daughter Katherine Strong leading services. Burial will follow at Asco-Justice Cemetery in Asco, WV, with grandsons and nephews serving as pallbearers. A visitation will be held one hour prior to services from 10:00-11:00 AM at the funeral home.
Cravens-Shires Funeral Home is serving the Sarks family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3431 Coal Heritage Road, Bluefield, WV 24701
Memories and condolences can be left on the obituary at the funeral home website.
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