Teresa A. Brentley

Funeral services for Teresa will be streaming live from SCHOEDINGER NORTHEAST, 1051 E. Johnstown Rd., Gahanna on Monday, July 20, 2020 at 1:00 PM. Watch webcast for Teresa at <https://webcasts.lifetributes.com/m/1078594. If you cannot attend the live stream, the service will be available online afterward. Burial will follow at Mifflin Cemetery.

"See, the thing about it is…" Teresa Ann Brentley earned her glory and was called home to be with the Lord on Monday, July 13, 2020. If she were telling it, that's how she'd start her story and no detail would be too mundane to spare. Her children, David, Jr. (Andrea), Tiarra (Trent), and Justin would settle in for the story, but only in silent agreement to sabotage it by interrupting with so many jokes, even Mimi, as she was lovingly called by her grandchildren, couldn't resist rolling her eyes and laughing along…before continuing her story. Our hearts are aching for those long stories now more than ever. As the youngest of nine children, there were many stories to tell.

Teresa was born in Pittsburgh, PA on March 3, 1961 to the late Lawerence Thomas and Alberta Foster. She graduated from Perry High School in 1980 and married her high school sweetheart, David. Three children, and a cold stint in Massachusetts later, they settled in Central Ohio to raise their family. It was there that Teresa began her lifelong calling to childhood education. It was not at all uncommon for her to be stopped in Marshall's, while knee-deep in trying on shoes, by a family whose children she cared for ages ago. They'd share everything they learned from her as parents and provide updates on their children, thanking Teresa for her loving guidance in those early years. We are in awe of, and forever inspired by, how deeply she loved and cared for those families and, in turn, was loved by them.

Even through decades of loving those families, she loved her family most of all. She was a prayer warrior who prayed for us, or anyone who asked, with every fiber of her being. She thought she was so sneaky when she'd rub a cross of holy oil on our foreheads while hugging us off to school. We'd rub it off before our butts hit the bus seats, but there's no question the blessings she prayed for are a lasting legacy. Beyond the bus stop hugs, she always made sure to hug everyone twice if the first one wasn't a "good hug." When we were lucky enough for Mimi to reply to our texts, each one she sent was signed "Love, mom." Even if we would reply, "LOL, yeah, I know, you're in my contacts," she would reply, "LOL, Love Mom," And, because one "I love you," just wasn't enough on the phone or in person, she'd say it twice…it was always, "Love ya, love ya."

Teresa leaves behind a family honored to live her legacy to "Love ya, love ya" with good hugs: Husband, David Sr.; children, David S. Brentley, Jr. (Andrea); Tiarra Nicole Householder (Trent); Justin Lamont Brentley; grandchildren, Justice, Kennedy, Kendall, Makayla, David III, Maxwell, Taylor, and Zion; siblings Lawrence Thomas; Alfreda Cox, Broderick Thomas, Brandon Thomas; Jeffrey Thomas; Rodney Thomas; and Michael Thomas. She also leaves a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews whose lives were all made a little brighter from loving her. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence Thomas and Alberta Foster.

Mimi, your departing this Earth is no match for the love we have for you. Your work here is done, and as per usual, you probably put in overtime. You've earned your wings, lipstick, and heels to strut into the Lord's glory.

Teresa looked forward to volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio (RMHC) during the holiday with her family. She would be honored to have your donation to RMHC in celebration of her life and service.

The donation page can be reached by clicking this link: https://rmhc-centralohio.org/donation-form/

Love ya, love ya.

All guests will be asked to wear a mask when inside the funeral home.