Brenda Godwin Stephenson, aged 75 of South Prince George, passed peacefully in her home on the morning of January 12, 2022. Brenda was born to Herman Harold Godwin and Mabel Corenna Godwin (Hockaday) in Dunn, North Carolina the day before Christmas Eve in 1946. There, she grew up with her brother Bill Godwin (Brenda) and sisters Sandy Weaver (Bill) and Deborah Godwin. Dunn is also where Brenda fell in love at first sight, later marrying her high school sweetheart Rudolph “Rudy” Stephenson, Jr., in 1964. Their first daughter Amy was born just four years later in nearby Irwin, North Carolina, followed by daughter Cindy in Petersburg, Virginia, where son Robert joined the family at three years old.
Brenda was well known in her community, as she spent 30 years as a secretary for Petersburg Public Schools. She was also a devoted member of Second Baptist Church in Petersburg, Virginia, where she made many friends who remember her for her selflessness and genuinely sweet soul.
Brenda, affectionately known as “Mawmaw” by her grandchildren, is fondly remembered by her surviving family members for her home cooking, love of shopping, and deep, deep love for each and every one of them. Her surviving family includes her beloved husband Rudy, daughter Amy Woodfin (John), and granddaughters Savannah Bordeau (Josh) and Chandler, son Robert Stephenson (Rosie) and grandsons Rudy and Reed, and grandson Kyle. Brenda was at daughter Cindy’s bedside when she passed in 2015. She is also survived by her sisters, with Deborah being with her until the very end.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at Second Baptist Church, 3355 Johnson Rd. Petersburg, Virginia 23805. Entombment will follow at Southlawn Memorial Park, S. Prince George, Virginia. Arrangements by the Crater Road Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 3935 S. Crater Road, Petersburg, Virginia 23805. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.
E Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory - Petersburg
E Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory - Petersburg
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