Brenda C Williams' Obituary
Brenda passed away on January 21, 2021 at 1:00am with her loving husband, family, and friends present, after a 13-year battle with breast cancer.
Brenda was born in Kennett, Missouri on August 3, 1950 to George Calvin and Betty Jean Noah Cunningham. She attended first grade in a one room schoolhouse in Bowling Green, MO. The rest of her education was continued in Falls Church, Virginia, Memphis, Missouri, and Knoxville, Iowa. Brenda graduated in 1968 from Jefferson City High School, Jefferson City, MO, where she was a member of the National Honor Society.
Brenda obtained her B.S. degree in Textile Technology with a minor in Vocational Home Economics from Purdue University in January 1972. There she was chairman of the Home Economic Council, Hostess, and Secretary on the Old Masters Committee, House manager and Vice President of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and tapped for Mortar Board.
Brenda attended the University of Florida for her M.S. in Agriculture and Extension Education graduating in 1991.
Dr. Williams completed her education at Florida Atlantic University with a Doctor of Education degree in Adult Education Leadership in 1999.
Brenda began her work with the University of Florida in November 1973 as a Home Economist / 4H Agent in Okeechobee County. She served as president of the FL 4H Agents and received the Florida 4H Agents and National Distinguished Service Award. After 13 years in extension work, she moved to the Okeechobee County School Board and was director of the school lunch programs.
Dr. Williams and her husband decided to move to Gainesville in 2000 for her work as the Family and Consumer Services Agent in Alachua County. During those 17 years, she received many awards for her programs including the Florida and National Distinguished Service award and continued Distinguished Service in Family and Consumer Services. The last 5 years she was especially proud to teach Financial Fitness with Catholic charities. Brenda was also a member of Rainbow Girls, Eastern Star, and First Baptist Church.
After retirement her favorite activities included entertaining family and friends; she was always in the kitchen cooking, doing what she loved, traveling, reading, sewing, and hosting Gator get togethers (her specialty). All the family liked to gather in Lake Placid in July to fish, take sunset cruises, relax, water ski, and enjoy the water. We have so many amazing memories. Her grandchildren loved to call her Grammie and asked for her homemade cinnamon rolls and pumpkin cake whenever they visited.
Brenda is survived by her husband, Larry Williams, whom she married on December 28, 1985. She is also survived by her sister, Ginger C. Smith (David) of Holts Summit, MO, two stepsisters, Madelyn Mayberry (Phil) of Marshalltown, IA, and Cindy Fletcher (Lee) of Ames, IA, two stepdaughters, Lorie Williams of Coral Springs, FL and Shawna Williams of Lakeport, FL, and 5 grandchildren, Aiyana, Aidan, Airo, Logan, and Colton and 2 great grandchildren, Ailynn and Ailo. She also has a special niece and nephew, Sarah Dubbert (Joe) and Justin Smith (Kerry) both of Columbia, MO.
Grammie will be greatly missed. Her memory will live on in our hearts forever. We love you, Grammie.
Family will receive friends on Thursday January 28, 2021 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at WILLIAMS-THOMAS WESTAREA 823 N.W. 143rd street Newberry.
Graveside services will be held on Friday January 29, 2021, at 2:00 PM with family receiving friends from 1:00 to 2:00 pm at the Evergreen Cemetery in Okeechobee.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to Okeechobee County 4-H 458 Hwy 98 N. Okeechobee, Florida 34972
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