Brenda Susan Haun

Brenda Haun, 58, passed away on Thursday, July 13, 2023 in Longwood, Florida, after a courageous battle against small bowel neuroendocrine cancer. A devoted and loving daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, she will be missed dearly by everyone who knew her.

Born on January 17, 1965, at AdventHealth hospital in Iquitos, Peru to missionaries, Reverend Charles and Violet Haun. Brenda was the third of four daughters of Charles and Violet. Brenda saw the faithfulness of her parents as they served God in many areas, which instilled in her a passion for helping others. Brenda was a remarkable person who put the needs and well-being of others before her own. Brenda consistently went above and beyond to offer her support, guidance, and compassion to those around her, without expecting anything in return. Her unwavering dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of others is a testament to her kind-hearted nature and serves as a shining example of what it means to be truly selfless.

Brenda was an outdoorsy child, playing softball and kickball, and climbing the apple tree in the yard to enjoy its green, tart fruit. Ever the prankster, she got a kick out of scaring her little sister. She cherished spending quality time with her mother.

Brenda learned how to walk on a small unsteady houseboat in the Amazon, but from the beginning, her life was steadfast and purposeful. Her faith in God, in her friendships, and in all her relationships was rich in dedication and love. Brenda was known for her adventurous spirit, for her incredible zest for life — and also for her being blessed by God’s protection from harm. One terrifying story from when she was two years old illustrates it well: As Brenda was playing on the edge of the Amazon River, a boa constrictor suddenly emerged. It started to approach her, getting closer and closer, until, out of nowhere, a duck swam in between, blocking the snake’s path. God had protected Brenda, just as God protected her whole family while they were out in the mission field.

In 1972, when Brenda was in elementary school, the family moved to Butler, Pennsylvania, and in 1978, they relocated again, to Jerusalem, Israel. While her father was diligently studying Hebrew at university, Brenda was picking it up with ease from her Israeli friends. Ever the fair and devoted confidante, Brenda was the type of person whom most everyone would consider to be their best friend, and she loved everyone equally. In her social circles, she was always the peacemaker.

After some time in Israel, the family moved to Goldsboro, North Carolina. In 1983, Brenda graduated from Goldsboro High School, going on in 1985 to earn an Associate in Arts degree from Johnston Technical College in Smithfield. From North Carolina, she moved to Florida, settling in Longwood to take a position as a graphic designer at Strang Communications.

Despite a successful career at Strang, Brenda felt the pull of something else, something profound, calling her name, and that was the study of her spirituality. With a deep desire to learn more about the Bible’s teachings, in 2004 she resigned from her job, packed up her belongings, and headed to Rhode Island to enroll in Zion Bible College. It would turn out to be a truly transformational time in her life, and in 2008, she graduated with a Bachelor of Biblical Studies and Missions.

In 2009, Brenda got a position with AdventHealth, where her talents truly shined. With her gift in graphic design, she was fortunate to be given many special projects to work on. She participated in mission trips to Trinidad, Malawi, and even to the same Condoshi Tribe in Peru from her childhood. For Brenda, these trips were full of purpose and intention. From working in orphanages and spreading God’s word in remote villages in Malawi, to going to Peru together with her niece Rachael and sister Renay, Brenda appreciated every moment.

As a traveler, Brenda savored in her surroundings to the fullest. In addition to her mission trips to the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, and South America, she also traveled to Spain and Switzerland.

Brenda was always marveling at nature, taking in its splendor however she could — whether that be balanced on a paddleboard, perched upon the seat of a bike, buckled into skis, or on her own two feet while hiking. As an artist, she let these landscapes inspire her work. Many of her watercolor and acrylic paintings capture mountains and other natural scenes. Brenda’s passion for art was palpable, and it was a passion she delighted in sharing with others, from nieces and nephews, to local communities on mission trips. She took pleasure in life’s simple joys, like knitting, doing puzzles, and spending Friday nights binge-watching her current TV show with a big bowl of popcorn.

Kind and conscientious in everything she did, Brenda will be remembered as warmhearted, considerate, shy, sensitive, loving, and giving. She had a knack for making birthday parties special, taking care to craft handmade decorations. She put on puppet shows and organized creative games. She was an empathetic listener. Never selfish with her time, she was always ready to lend an ear for late-night talks, to be an active presence in her nieces’ and nephews’ lives.

Brenda was predeceased by her father Charles Haun, who passed in 1996.

She is survived by her mother Violet Haun; sisters Telva Thomas, Renay (Robert) Crowe, and Cindy (Rodney) Thomas; nephews Benjamin, Jonathan, Matthew, James, and Taye; and nieces Tabitha, Bethany Elizabeth, Rebecca, Rachael, and Kayla.

By donating to Teaching All Nations, you can contribute to the completion of Brenda’s project, which aims to make her father’s book, “Becoming the Expression of the Father,” available on Audible. Your donation will help fund the necessary resources and efforts to bring this project to fruition. Your contribution will have a lasting impact on spreading her father’s wisdom and teachings to a wider audience.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 - 8:00 pm on Thursday, July 20, 2023 at Baldwin-Fairchild Oaklawn, 5000 County Road 46A, Sanford, Florida 32771. A celebration of life service will be held at 4:00 pm on Friday, July 21, 2023 at with a reception to follow.