Brenda Renee Smith's Obituary
Brenda Smith, 71, died at her home on October 28, 2024. Brenda was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and lived in California for most of her life. As a child in Tulsa, she attended Ralph Bunche Elementary School and the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.
Her family moved to Berkeley, California in 1963. Brenda attended Leconte Elementary School and Willard Middle School, and graduated from Berkeley High School. She received her Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration from Contra Costa College and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the California State University - Hayward.
Brenda worked in the telecommunications industry for many years and retired in 1987. She married Herbert Hunter in 1971. They had one child before divorcing in 1983. She married Richard Smith in 1985, and they lived in Oakland with her son, who Richard adopted. Brenda and Richard remained married for the rest of her life.
Brenda had a unique and unforgettable personality. She was very intelligent and sociable with a sassy, spunky attitude and a keen sense of humor. Brenda was outgoing and self-confident but was also generous and compassionate. She was always honest with you and was never shy to “tell it like it is.” Those who met Brenda never forgot her.
Brenda loved life and loved to have fun. She enjoyed traveling, golfing, shopping, vacationing and spending time with friends. But she could also effectively manage business and financial affairs. Brenda sometimes called herself “a tough cookie” but she was really a very sensitive and vulnerable person.
Brenda was a people person and a natural leader. She was passionate and had a special love for her family and friends. Brenda helped so many family members and others with moral support and valuable advice to help them move up in their careers or improve their lives. She valued education highly and always recognized and saluted everyones’ graduations and other accomplishments. Brenda had a life long impact on many of her friends and relatives.
Brenda was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, cousin and friend. She was the family historian who knew all about her ancestors and maintained contact with her large extended family. One of her happiest and most cherished experiences was hosting the 1989 Madden Family Reunion in Oakland, California, when she brought together hundreds of relatives and loved ones from around the country, many of who had never before met.
Brenda was preceded in death by her mother, Edna Bee, father Curtis, step-father William Walker, sisters Mary Ann, Janice Carol, and Jacquelyn Maureen, and brother William Louis.
She is survived by her husband Richard, son Brandon, daughter-in-law Erica, grandson Joshua, sisters Joyce Yvonne and Bendina Rochelle, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law and friends who she loved and who loved her.
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