Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend and educator, Brenda Andrews, went to be with our loving Lord on Sunday, September 26, 2021, in Hamilton, Texas, surrounded by her husband and children.
Brenda Gail Stephens was born July 22, 1954, in Waco, Texas, and raised in the Lamkin area. She was a 1972 graduate of Hamilton High School and later graduated Magna Cum Laude from Tarleton State University in 1977.
She met the love of her life, Kenneth Dale Andrews, in 1972 at the Dairy Kreem in Hamilton, TX. It was love at first sight for them both. They were united in marriage on March 20, 1976. On April 5, 1980, Brenda gave birth to their daughter, Britney Kail. Their son, Brennan Chad, joined the family on September 15, 1986. As a 46th birthday present, on July 22, 2000, Brenda gained son-in-love, J.P. Aaron. On December 11, 2008, she became Gigi when she welcomed her grandchildren, Lila and Gage.
Brenda Gail was affectionately given many nicknames over the years including Gigi, Bun, Teach, Ms. A, BG and Miss BGA among others. Known for her bubbly and joyous personality, Brenda radiated love and light. Selfless and generous, she was happy to help anyone in need. She enjoyed traveling, dirt road driving, wildflower viewing, antique shopping, attending her grandchildren’s activities and visiting with loved ones.
Brenda loved and was loved “all the mostest in the world plus one” by her family and friends. Incredibly proud of her children and grandchildren, she was never happier than when her nest was full. Thoughtful and ever nostalgic, she loved trading stories and reminiscing with others including her fellow friends known as the Lamkin kids. She grew up attending the Lamkin Methodist Church and was most recently a member of Barn Church in Hamilton where her son-in-law, J.P. Aaron, is pastor.
A lifelong educator, Brenda taught for 35 years in Hamilton and 6 years in Clifton. She also served on the Hamilton ISD school board for many years. Brenda loved teaching classes in business, accounting, personal finance, computer and typing. In fact, Mrs. Andrews is the reason many generations of Bulldog students know how to type. Her influence went well beyond the classroom as she personally invested in her students by encouraging, supporting and inspiring confidence in them to achieve their fullest potential.
Brenda was preceded in death by her parents, J Wayland and Lemine Massingill Stephens and her brother Gayland Jay Stephens. She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Kenneth Dale Andrews; her daughter Britney Kail Andrews Aaron and husband J.P. and her son, Brennan Chad Andrews as well as her grandchildren Lila Kail and Gage Preston Aaron; her brother, Rickie Don Stephens and wife Gloria, her sister, Karen Stephens and sister-in-laws Ella Faye Stephens, Clara Lancaster, Corky Cathey and husband Bobby, Charlene Kirkland, Mary Brumbalow, Naomi Weems, Esther Milloy and Brenda Edwards and husband Jimmie Don. She is also survived by nieces Jana Dawn Stephens O’Neal and husband Randy, Dana Lynn Stephens Chancellor and husband, Tommy, Tonya Leigh Stephens Cyplik and husband Dave, Rena Michelle Stephens Dunahoo and husband Nick, Whitney Nichole Posey Melton and husband Dustin, Alexys Stephens, Tierra Campbell, Bianca Broadnax, Shea Broadnax, Destinee Flores, Tiffany Stephens, as well as Yazmine, Nevaeh and Velen Zavala, nephews Brett Aaron Stephens and fiance, Amanda Duoust, and Nicholas Fuller; great nephews and nieces, Riley O’Neal, Jaret O’Neal, Layton Chancellor, Aaron Chancellor, Addison Dunahoo, Emery Dunahoo, Daxton Lee, Mabry Melton and Landry Stephens as well as a host of other Andrews’ nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday, October 1, at the Barn Church in Hamilton. Celebration of life services will be 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 2, also at Barn Church. Interment to follow at Toliver Cemetery in Lamkin.
In lieu of flowers, Brenda requested donations be made to the Brenda Andrews Memorial Scholarship at MC Bank (Mills County State Bank) or Venmo (Brenda Andrews Memorial Scholarship).
