Brenda Joyce East, 85, of Columbus, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 20th, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Born Brenda Joyce Johnson on November 26, 1940, in Columbus, Georgia, she was a lifelong resident of the area, where she was raised and built deep roots. Later in life, Brenda and her husband Dan moved to Gulf Breeze, Florida. Subsequently, they embraced adventure, spending several years living aboard their beautiful Albin Trawler, the S.S. Don-Ki-Dan-Dy, cruising to many ports-of-call along the Florida Gulf Coast. They also resided for a time at Lake Harding, and eventually settled down back in Columbus.
Brenda was united in marriage to Daniel J. East Jr. (Dan) on June 28, 1958, in Columbus, Georgia. She is survived by her devoted husband; her loving children: Donna Thornell (Mike), Kim Redmon (Danny), Danny East (Tina), and Seletha Crosby (Clyde), all of Columbus, Georgia; her cherished grandchildren: Daniel (Dan) East, Lee Harmon, Wendy Hetzel, Rachel Pound, Lindsey (Linzy) Linn, Kaila Nicolson, and DJ Redmon; and her great-grandchildren: Baylee, Evan, Asher, Lowry, and—just a few days ago—baby Levi. Brenda was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Louverne Johnson; her sister, Janice Ann Mobley; and her grandmother, Anner Lee Ellis.
Brenda was a member of Jordan High School’s Class of 1959 and later attended Columbus State University, where she studied and pursued her passions in business and accounting. Professionally, she worked alongside her husband, handling accounting for the first-generation, family-owned wholesale grocery companies Tasty Foods and Tasty Distributing. After their extended adventure cruising the Gulf, she served as a medical clerk at Piedmont Family Practice.
Brenda had a zest for life, deeply enjoying boating, fishing, traveling, and sports cars. She was also a great gardener and a meticulous decorator, especially during Christmas when she lovingly displayed her angels and nativities.
In addition to her roles in the family-owned business, Brenda was deeply committed to her family, ensuring every holiday and special occasion was celebrated with as many loved ones as possible.
Brenda grew up attending North Highland AOG Church with her parents. After marriage, she became an active member of Cascade Hills Baptist Church alongside her immediate family and, later, many of her grandchildren. She also volunteered and spent time with the members of the Columbus-Fort Benning Shrine Club with her husband, and was a very faithful supporter of his involvement with several other organizations, the most locally impactful being the Valley Rescue Mission.
Funeral services will be held at Striffler-Hamby, Macon Road, Columbus, GA, Thursday, January 22nd, 2026 at 2:00 PM with Rev. Ken Dawson officiating. The family will receive guests and visitors immediately after the service. Entombment will be in the Chapel of the Pines Mausoleum at Parkhill Cemetery at a later time, privately with family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Valley Rescue Mission, or Cascade Hills Church.
If there is anything in heaven that needs a special touch, she is there, likely gently nudging a few things around to lend her unique flair to perfection. She was many things to many people—each sharing unique experiences with her from their own perspectives, and as those cherished memories are shared among all she touched, they come together to paint a beautiful portrait of her life as a whole.
John 11:25-26 (NIV) – "Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?“
