Branden Joshua Sayles

Branden Joshua Sayles was born on May 9, 1988 to Lisa Simms and passed away on September 21, 2025 in Atwater, Ca.

Branden was the oldest of four children. He is preceded in death by his beloved grandparents William Gregory Simms and Betty Louise Simms. He is survived by his mother Lisa Mary Grace Simms Yee, her husband Ronald Lorenzo Yee Jr., Branden's sisters Courtney Shanice Mixon, Whittley Sade Mixon, and his brother Gregory Wendell Mixon. His God sister, also known as his twin Aeisha Slaton and her son Cameron Brown. His aunts Teresa Bernice Simms, Gail Marie Palmer and Suzzeth Moore; his uncle’s Kenneth Jarod Moore and Sammy Johnson; his cousins Richard Allen Palmer, Veronica Pilar Palmer, Angela Christine Way, Andreas Moore and Shaina Nease. His bonus grandparents Ronald Yee, Sr. and Alma Yee, bonus sisters Irie Ty Yee and Ajah Noel Carter and her husband Jarod Carter. Branden leaves many other family members and friends.

As a child, Branden invited several friends to church, especially to AWANAS where they learned to memorize Bible verses. Although Branden was baptized in the Catholic Church as a baby, he wanted to be baptized again when he was 10 years old so that he could remember professing his faith to Jesus, so Branden was baptized twice, once at St. Anthony’s Church and once at Yosemite Lake.

Branden graduated from Golden Valley High School, Merced Ca. After high school Branden attended Merced Junior College and worked at Best Buy. Branden transferred to San Jose State University where he graduated top of his class with a Bachelor Degree in Psychology.  

Branden was very intelligent and tutored several high school and college students. He excelled in school and he taught himself how to read, write and speak Japanese when he was in high school. Branden was also very talented and after 6 months of piano lessons started playing keyboard in a high school band. Branden taught himself to play the guitar and the violin. Branden wrote his own music and played like a professional musician.

Branden was a care giver for his grandfather William Simms until his passing in 2016 and spent the last 9 years caring for his grandmother Betty Simms until her passing on April 28, 2025.

Branden was loved more than he knew, and will be missed more than words can express.  

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