Venita Braly Denkins

Venita Elizabeth Braly Denkins, 73, of Sanford went to be with our Lord and Savior on Saturday September 13, 2025. She passed on peacefully at her home after a 10-year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday September 17th at Rogers Pickard Funeral Home at 1pm. The family will receive friends before the service starting at 11am at the funeral home.

She was preceded in death by her parents Sam Braly Jr. and Juanita Boyd Braly; sister Teresa Braly Gaines; and brother John Wade “Pete” Braly.

She leaves behind her loving and faithful husband of almost 53 years, Broadus Denkins; daughters Wendy Denkins Weston and husband Shane Weston, and Somer Lynne Denkins Thornburg and husband Benjamin Thornburg; grandchildren Leilah Choate (Jason), Garrett Weston, Scott Weston (Cari), Owen Thornburg, and Shelby Thornburg; 2 great grandchildren Paisley Choate and Carter Weston; and brother James “Scooter” Braly (Jackie).

Venita was a graduate of Sanford Central High School and CCC. She worked for years at Boise Cascade, Magnetti Marelli, Tarheel Distributors, and The Pantry Offices. She was a hardworking person and gave her all to wherever she worked and made many friends over the years.

Venita was an outstanding wife, mother, and loving grandmother and great grandmother. She was a woman of strong faith and led her life and guided her family to follow the Lord’s path.

She was full of passion for the UNC Tarheels, Dallas Cowboys, fishing, the beach, cooking, and taking care of her family. Her legacy will live on through all that knew and loved her.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Venita’s special friend and caregiver Lisa Johnson for her love and care throughout the years.

Memorial Contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association Eastern Carolina Chapter, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601.