A Celebration of Brenda’s life will be held at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, Edgewood Hall, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus, GA 31907 on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at 11:00 am. with Rev. Andy Ginn officiating. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service and a reception will follow after the service in the Mill Room.
Brenda was born on August 22, 1961 in Cleveland, OH to the late Clifford Charles Short, Sr. and Betty Jean Brooks Short. She grew up in Ohio and graduated from Midview High School. She was a former member of North Eaton Baptist Church. Brenda enlisted in the U.S. Army on June 2, 1980 as a Combat Communication Specialist, having served until May 16, 1983. She was active in several Army family support groups and was awarded the Molly Pitcher award for her services. On January 17, 1982 in Lorraine County, OH, she meet and married the love of her life, Steven Lee Howard, with whom she would raise two beautiful daughters, Jessica Nicole Kirberger and Rebecca Sue Howard.
Brenda was a simple and kind mom who would give you her last dollar or whatever was needed to make you feel safe and loved, but maybe with a dash of sarcasm. She truly lived her life to help other people. Brenda loved her family, furbabies, and friends. She enjoyed spending time with them or sharing a good laugh or just a smile. Brenda was employed for the past 20 years at the Commissary where she never met a stranger.
Brenda taught her daughters to be resilient and strong. She taught them to do anything they wanted and to be who they wanted to be because she would always be their number one supporter and be there to cheer them on. She was a true fighter even to until the end. She will be remembered as a strong and compassionate loving wife, mother, daughter, and sister, who cared so much for others.
Brenda is preceded in death by her youngest sister, Betty Sue Short.
She is survived by her husband, Steven Lee Howard; her two daughters, Jessica Nicole Kirberger and Rebecca Sue Howard; a brother, Clifford Charles Short, Jr.; and a sister, Linda Ann Short.
