Homemaker and devoted mother, nana, sister and aunt.
Born in Hartman, AR, she was raised in Hunt, AR until she moved to Hawaii with her parents while her dad served in the US Navy. This began a life long love of The Islands, which she was thrilled to visit several times throughout her life.
An only child until she was 14, that all changed when her sister, Tammy arrived. They shared an extra-special bond throughout their lives, and Brenda was very proud of the strong women in her family that came generations before.
After graduating from John Marshall High School in OKC in 1964, she married her high school sweetheart, James "JD" Dunn in 1966 and became the wife of a US Marine. During this time, she handled any and everything while he was deployed to Vietnam, including welcoming their first daughter, Kristyn while he was overseas. Military life took them to Boston, MA and Tustin, CA, where they became parents to their youngest daughter, Tiffany. The family spent several years in the Dallas area prior to returning to OKC.
Brenda was a Girl Scout leader, a dance mom, and trusted friend and confidant to her girls and their friends as they were growing up.
Her happiest days were when she became a grandmother. She always said it was the "greatest thing"...until she was blessed with great-grandchildren! Those lucky ones who called her "Nana" are her granddaughter, Ashley, who first enjoyed her special brand of fun and love; her grandson, Ryan, who taught her the meaning of "tough love," and the long-awaited youngest granddaughter, Addie, who is the image of her Nana's strength and courage, and shares her huge heart.
Once she became a great-grandmother, the joy reached a whole new level. The time spent with them created her favorite moments. Griffin always made sure Nana was following the rules while he enjoyed zebra cakes and her legendary brownies she kept in the cookie jar for him; and Saige, who always gifted Nana with new art work for her refrigerator and was ready to share her new favorite book.
"Aunt Brenda," as she was known by her nephews, JW and Chase, her niece Katlyn, and their children, shared so much love with them as well. Also, her cousin-turned-sister Debbie was a lifelong source of friendship, connection, and love.
Mom said the Grand Canyon was the "most beautiful place she had ever seen-" but that was before she saw Heaven. She will be not just remembered, but missed. We will hold her close in our hearts forever.
Grief is the price we pay for love. Don't let it linger. Give in to those precious memories. Let those live in your heart.
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