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Katherine Wood posted a condolence
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
The Lost and Found Years
A tribute to Brenda Lee Wood
By Katherine E Wood
Death has knocked on our door once again in our family. July 21th eight years ago I lost my husband John to cancer. Last month on June 25 we had lost his stepmom Brenda unexpectedly. For a while after John had passed, we didn’t really communicate with each other , each dealing with their own grief in their own way. His dad and Brenda were very private people. They didn’t like drama, didn’t like people making a big fuss over them. After a while, I reconnected with them by texting Brenda and being a Facebook friend. It wasn’t all the time but it was enough to let them know that I loved them and I had missed them because of health problems, I couldn’t get down there to visit. I met them about 19 years ago, when John brought his girlfriend home to meet the parents for the first time, of course it was awkward and I was nervous. I didn’t know what to expect. John’s dad was quiet unlike John himself. He was very humble very knowledgeable, especially of his passion and livelihood, restoring and customizing, classic cars and street rods. Brenda on the other hand was something else, little more outspoken then his dad, at five feet tall if that, she had a big heart, worked hard. Neither one of them waa going to church at the time I had met them at least not that we were aware of. Later later in our marriage, we did find out that they both had accepted Christ at an earlier time in their lives, but kind of drifted but who doesn’t, even John and I weren’t going to church, we were still searching for one.
When they moved to a different part of NJ where her relatives were, we became closer, we had a passion for dogs since we both fur babies we called each Mama, and picking on John together was a favorite of ours, we also loved Christmas and decorating. About a year after they had moved John became sick, that’s when the Lord started to cultivate the seeds that were planted and He was getting ready to reap the harvest, they started going back to church, I really wasn’t aware of this until after John had passed. John and I had attended the church a couple of times when we went down on Sundays to visit and they weren’t up yet. We met Pastor Tim and beautiful wife Mary and the church itself was beautiful and simply decorated.
Yesterday on July 13 at Tri-County Lighthouse Baptist Church we had Brenda‘s memorial. My sister-in-law Michelle knew I was trying to make it. We kept it a surprise just in case I couldn’t. My friend Meridith from church has been such a godsend to me. Her husband was out of town at a car show and she agreed to actually drive me two hours one way to New Jersey for her memorial. The Service was very emotional with moemories flooding my mind and it was like the eight years that I didn’t know what was going on in her life because she was such a private person was revealed to me by Pastor Tim.
Love is patient love, is kind, it does not envy. It does not boast. It is not proud. It does not dishonor others is not self seeking is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrong doings… I Corinthians chapter 13 has been read at so many weddings, including my own that sometimes it become just a tradition to be read at weddings, not until last Sunday, when my friend Becky did the service she read this verse and even before I went to the memorial I knew this verse  was Brenda‘s life verse. Even though at the memorial Pastor Tim had read a chapter in proverbs about a virtuous woman. He said that other was Brenda, which is also true because Brenda when she put her mind to the task she always went far and beyond what was asked of her, she served her Lord with her whole heart and then some, if it needed done she did it and she would do it until it was perfect. I only know this by what I heard in that service, Brenda gave her purple PT cruiser to the pastor and told him not to tell anyone, she love purple and Pastor Tim did too. She told him not to tell anyone. if someone was sick and laid up she always sent a meal, she worked in the kitchen at church. When the church was built about 29 years ago when she started her painting company, she painted the interior with the help of her brothers and sisters and did not charge a thing. She gave in secret- she did not boast. 
Towards the end of the service pastor, Tim said that Brenda had come to him one day and she said I don’t know how people can live this life down here without Jesus. She said all I want to do is see my friends and her family accept Christ as savior, but she did not know how to go about doing that, And that is very true it is very hard for some of us to actually ask people that we love if they know Christ it took John years to ask his dad and Brenda if they were saved. So pastor Tim gave an invitation at the end. I know seeds of faith were planted that day and I am praying that they will grow strong and they will be ready for the harvest that Brenda will see her family and friend ms again in Heaven and the seed multiply in their own families as well. I want to extend that invitation to you to receive Jesus as your savior.
Thanks Mama for giving to the Lord for we are the lives that were changed because of your love-until meet again.
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Steph and Micah Sparks posted a condolence
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
We could never say enough great things about Brenda. She was such a beautiful person on the inside and out and touched the lives of so many. She is truly missed and loved.
❤️Steph and Micah
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Lisa Best posted a condolence
Monday, July 15, 2024
Dearest Brenda
I will always remember your kindness and your laughter. I will truly miss You.
Love always
Lisa Best
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Evie Vanderveer posted a condolence
Thursday, July 11, 2024
I am so sorry my heart is broken. I love you and will miss you so much.❤️
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Patty Jo Higgins posted a condolence
Sunday, July 7, 2024
My sweet friend, Brenda. Where do I start? You were one of the most caring, patient, loyal people whom I've ever met.
I met you during our "street rod" years. I'll always remember the shows, camping in York and the jello shots!
You were a special "aunt" to our son, Matthew. I know how much you loved him, and he loved you.
I'll miss your smile and giggle. You will always be in my heart.
Heaven gained a true angel...too soon, though.
Some day we will meet again. Until then, I love you.
Patty Jo, Jim and Matt Higgins
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Katherine Wood posted a condolence
Saturday, July 6, 2024
Brenda-”Mama” was something else. When John brought me over to meet his dad, Woody and step mom, Brenda. It was kind of awkward, but what first meetings with future in-laws aren’t? But we both had one thing in common, we both loved John. That love was the foundation we had built our friendship on it and it grew for 18 years until God took John home. Things were quiet between us, We seen hadn’t each other for 8 years, but I would still send cards, text Brenda and we were friends on Facebook, because of health issues and work I couldn’t get down to visit them, but for me we always would be family, not because of John, but because of Jesus. Until we meet again Mama on the other side of Heaven, I had always loved you and I always will.
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Betty Shaw uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
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she loved her furbaby
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Betty Shaw posted a condolence
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
So sorry for your loss. Brenda was a true friend and will be surely missed.
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Padgett Funeral Home uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, July 2, 2024
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The family of Brenda L. Wood uploaded a photo
Tuesday, July 2, 2024
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Tuesday, July 2, 2024
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Padgett Funeral Home
1107 State Highway 77
Bridgeton, New Jersey 08302
Phone: (856) 451-1999