MARS HILL: Mildred Brigman Briggs, 98, of 1572 Paint Fork Rd. passed away Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at Madison Manor Health and Rehab. She was a lifelong resident of Madison County and a daughter of the late James and Sarah Blankenship Brigman. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Frank E. Briggs, son, James Eugene Briggs, grandson, Ronnie Albert Swilling, great granddaughter, Bridget Banks, five sisters and six brothers. Surviving are three daughters; Irene Banks (Vernon) of Burnsville, Mary Lonon of Asheville and Carolyn Rich (Danny) of Mars Hill, eleven grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren and eleven great-great grandchildren. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday, May 26, 2011 at Beech Glenn Baptist Church where she was a member. Rev. Stanley Peek will officiate. Burial will follow in Brigman-McPeters Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1 – 2 pm prior to the service.