Brenda Greene Washburn's Obituary
In loving memory of our mother, Brenda Greene Washburn of Olive Branch, Mississippi, who passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on August 23 after a sudden illness. Brenda was the devoted wife of Johnny Wayne Washburn and loving mother of Rev. Dr. Pamela Washburn, BCCC and Kevin Washburn, J.D.
Born in Cliffside, North Carolina, February 7, 1942 to parents William Edward and Genell Burgess Greene, Brenda began a life steeped in deep faith and a tradition of caring for others. As a teenager Brenda had an adventurous effervescent spirit. She loved music and sports, playing basketball on the high school women’s team. Through school and church, she developed life long friendships. She graduated from Mooresville Senior High School and continued her education in secretarial skills and office management.
She garnered the attention of a handsome young man, who would eventually become her husband, by clearing her throat during a worship service at Baptist summer youth retreat in Ridgecrest, NC. Brenda and Johnny went on to start a marriage that would last 61 years. He loved and cared for her through her breast cancer treatment and she for him through his physical health concerns and his continuing struggle with Alzheimer’s. Early in their marriage using her training, she supported Johnny in his educational pursuits through college and seminary. Johnny’s business career demanded multiple relocations from the safety of her Southern heritage to the unknown challenges of life and work in the New York/New Jersey area. Brenda took on the challenge of learning a new culture and a new way of life. Life in New Jersey allowed her to reengage the adventurous spirit of her youth and assert her voice, her courage, and her independence without sacrificing love of spouse, family, or faith. In fact, finding her own sense of self allowed each of these relationships to strengthen and thrive.
She was challenged in her life by breast cancer, yet her strength, determination, and courage were on display during her 20+ years as a survivor. Her highest motivation in that battle was to be “G-mom” and participate in the lives of her grandsons Cooper and Ethan Washburn, sons of Kevin & Missy Washburn.
In time, Brenda would step away from her career path to focus on caring for her aging parents as well as her sister and brother-in-law, Judy and Michael Jones. She took care of her father and mother for the remainder of each of their lives and at the time of her passing, she remained the caregiver of Judy and Michael and her husband Johnny.
Throughout her life, Brenda developed many interests and hobbies. While in the New York area, she grew to love the glamour of musicals in Broadway theaters. With an assist from her son, an acquaintance with hockey (to be more accurate —The Rangers) was nurtured into an enjoyment of the sport. On any given Saturday or Sunday of the year, she would interrupt golf, NASCAR, and/or football (college and professional) to catch a nap with her husband in side by side recliners. There was however, the most sacred of sporting events that would not be missed nor compromised. She and her mother shared a deep love of basketball and they established a long held tradition during the 3rd month of the year to cheer for the ACC men and women teams during “March Madness”. She may never have filled out a bracket sheet but her final four needed at least one ACC team to keep her from having to actively pull against whoever knocked out the last of the ACC contenders. She bonded with her father over a love of planting. Spring planting brought perennials producing flowers blooming a plethora of colors. And in the fall, it was rare not to see several mums of varying colors around the house. Her kindness and desire to give back to others was on display through her participation in the “Shawl Ministry” of Longview Heights Baptist Church. Brenda’s absolute favorite time of year was Christmas. Year around she kept it ever present by watching Hallmark Christmas movies recorded fervently during the season. By enjoying these movies in the quiet stillness of the night during difficult times or after challenging days, she rejuvenated her spirit while keeping the hope and joy of Christmas alive.
Our family would not be all that we are today, but for our mother Brenda Greene Washburn. She instilled in us the importance of family, the self respect gained in working hard, the selflessness required in the genuine care of others, and the demand of faith to do what is right while walking humbly as a child of God. Our mother was a source of inspiration to us all and she will be deeply missed by everyone whose life she touched.
Brenda was predeceased by her parents William & Genell Greene. She leaves behind her spouse Johnny, sister and brother in law Judy & Michael Jones, daughter Pam Washburn, son and daughter in law Kevin & Missy Washburn, and grandsons Cooper and Ethan Washburn.
A joint service for Johnny and Brenda Washburn will be held at Christ The King Lutheran Church, 5296 Park Avenue, Memphis, TN 38119 on October 8th at 11:00am (CST). It will also be streamed live at https://ctkmemphis.com/worship/live-streaming. The family requests on that day you wear something pink to honor and commemorate Brenda’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Mom, you will always be in our hearts. We love you so very much!
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