Brenda Leigh Russell, age 62, of Water Valley, MS departed this life Friday, March 25, 2022, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford, MS after an extended illness. One of six children, she was born January 2, 1960, in Memphis, TN to the late Gayle and Celestine (Milstead) Johnson. Brenda was a very unique individual that never met a stranger. It has been said, “If you ever met her, you’d never forget her”. She started her working career at Big Yank in the production dept making jeans. After their closure, she went to Whirlpool in Oxford and finally to Borg Warner in Water Valley from which she would retire after 10 years. Brenda loved simple pleasures such as reading, especially mystery novels, cooking, baking cakes, which everyone loved, and watching Nascar. But nothing held a greater place in her heart than her three grandchildren.
Visitation is planned for Wednesday, March 30, 2022, in the Gardiner Room at Seven Oaks Funeral Home from 12:00 Noon until 1:00 PM. A memorial service will immediately follow at 1:00 PM in the Henry Chapel of Seven Oaks with Bro. Mike Stevens officiating.
Brenda is survived by two sons, Chris Russell of Oxford, MS, Jason Russell (Amber) of Water Valley; one brother, James Johnson of Water Valley; two sisters, B.J. Duncan (J.C.) of Sardis, MS, Barbara Stevens (Mike) of Charleston, MS; and three wonderful grandchildren, Haley Catherine Russell, Carson Russell, and Karter Russell.
As well as her parents, Brenda was preceded in death by one brother, Gail Johnson, JR; and one sister, Margaret Johnson.