Brenda Sue Smith, 64, of Greencastle, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, at home with her family.
Brenda was born in New Albany on Nov. 4, 1958, the daughter of Nova June Cooper nee Tolliver and Farrell Hollen.
She was the stepdaughter of Gerald Cooper and Gay Hollen and sister of Dianna Cox (Gary) of Clayton, Curtis Cooper of Greencastle and Patty Hollen Doyle (Frank) and Paul Robinson of New Albany.
Brenda married Joseph Earl Smith on July 21, 1984. Together they had two children, Rebecca Cotterill (Nobi) of Wolverhampton, England, and Samuel Smith (Whitney) of Roachdale. They were lovingly married 31 years. He proceeded her in death on July 26, 2015.
From this union they were blessed with seven grandchildren, Dakotah VanEvery, Kavaun (Jade), Keenan, Kendal and Kimberlyn Treadwell and Jeffrey and Jonas Smith, and two step-grandchildren, Curtis Cotterill and Honey Cottams. She was expecting her first great-grandchild in November 2023. Brenda was the beloved aunt of Tonya (Jimmy) Cummings and Matt (Whitney) Cox.
Brenda started working for the United States Postal Service in the 1980s. She started out as a mail processing clerk and worked her way up over the years, retiring as a mail processing supervisor after 25-plus years of service.
Brenda was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Her greatest joy, though, was being a grandmother, as her grandkids range from age 27 to 6. She was their biggest cheerleader and No. 1 fan in life. She loved them fiercely and unconditionally. She spent a good part of her life attending all her grandkids’ functions, from plays to recitals to sporting events.
When she wasn’t spending time with her grandkids, she would be playing bingo or going to the casino with her mom and sister Dianna. Brenda also shared a very special relationship with her daughter-in-law, Whitney, whom she loved as if she were one of her own children.
Five years after the death of her husband, Brenda met David Vanderipe, now deceased, who became her life partner. Dave and Brenda enjoyed each other tremendously. In July 2022, they embarked on a journey to visit her daughter and grandchildren in England. Their memories from the trip will be forever treasured.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joe; life partner Dave; and brother Curtis.
Service will be held Saturday, Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. at Hopkins-Rector Funeral Home, 4 Percy L Julian Dr., Greencastle. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to North Putnam youth football, North Putnam youth baseball or a donation to brain cancer research in Brenda’s name.
