When Bill first started bringing me around to meet his family, Aunt Brenda was one of the first ones I met. She set me at ease immediately. Her sweet temperament was welcoming; her hugs were cozy and genuine. She had a sparkle of joy in her eyes, always. She told great stories about the family which, helped me to connect who was who and how they all were related to each other. She brought me into the fold easily. It was her way to include everyone, and I appreciated that so much as the newbie to the family.

It didn’t take but a minute to see that she was the perfect complement to Uncle Jim. He taught Sunday School to the kids and she took roll, made sure he was well versed in the lesson, and stocked up on pixie sticks. She was a woman of faith. He was gruff, funny, and an outdoor man. He loved all things camping, fishing, and nature. Never one to be still for any length of time, he needed Brenda to ground him. She was his home. She allowed him to be himself and he loved her for that. Their love for each other and for God was evident to all who knew them.

Her boys were her world. She said they would give her gray hair one of these days, which they eventually did. Ha-ha. She put up with pet snakes, pet bulldogs, rock music, UGA football, and living with three electricians in the same house. More power to her. (pun intended) She handled it all with the grace of a southern lady, laughing the whole way. She loved her her grandkids whom she gushed over to anyone who would listen.  Her family was everything to her.

In retirement, when they moved across the driveway from Ray and Louise, it was a joy to watch them all. Jim and Louise, cut from the same never-stop-moving cloth, enjoyed their time together with the dogs. So. Many. Dogs. Up the mountain, around the lake, in the pool, those two were always having fun together. Louise and Brenda bonded over all things household. They shared recipes and read the same books. They looked after one another and affectionately joked about their menfolk.

They sliced Uncle Jim’s tomatoes and created culinary wonders with them. Southern cooking was their shared love. Aunt Brenda was in charge the dressing at Thanksgiving for years. For those who might not know southern ways, the bringer of the dressing is much revered. On the family hierarchy, the dressing-bringer is at the top. She held this honor with her typical humility and joy to be part of the meal preparation. She and Louise were every bit the sisters that neither of them had. They adopted each other and enjoyed every minute together on the mountain.

When Jim was dealing with his heart issues, Brenda became his caregiver until she could no longer physically keep it up. And once Cliff and Theresa moved downstairs into her basement, she sang their praises to anyone who would listen. They took such good care of both Jim and Brenda. She used to say to me, “I don’t know how I got so lucky. I don’t know what I would do without them. They are so good to me.”

Brenda had been sick on and off the last few years. A few rounds with colon cancer weakened her body, but not her resolve. She just took it all in stride as she navigated treatments and doctor’s appointments with her daughter-in-love Theresa. However, when I talked with her last, she told me she was ready to go home to be with Jesus and Jim. She said she was tired, and I know it was true.

I imagine her now, happy and free of that tired body. Jim is showing her all around the most beautiful places in heaven. Seeing her parents and celebrating all being together again. She will be missed here though. Her sweet countenance, her smile, her laugh, and her stories. She was a precious woman and we loved her dearly; knowing she is at peace is a comfort. No more pain, tears, or suffering for her, only for us…in our missing of her. It was a blessing to have had her in our lives for so long. She was a gift who we thank God for.