Brenda Delores Thomas

A Time to Be Born

On June 10, 1945, the world was blessed with a beautiful soul, Brenda Delores Thomas, who would grow to become a woman of extraordinary strength, unwavering faith, contagious laughter, and unconditional love.

Affectionately known as “Bren,” “Grandma,” and “Ma,” Brenda was born in Manhattan, New York, to the late Sydney J. F. Hemsley and Angie M. Hemsley. As the eldest of eight children, Brenda naturally embraced the role of a leader, protector, and nurturer. Little did the world know that this young girl from Manhattan would grow into a trailblazer, a history-maker, a phenomenal mother and grandmother, and a woman whose presence could light up any room.

Brenda was truly one of a kind. She had a heart big enough to love everybody, a personality that could fill a room, and a sense of humor that could turn an ordinary day into an unforgettable memory. If you knew Brenda, you knew there was never a dull moment when she was around!

A Time to Be Educated

Brenda received her formal education through the District of Columbia Public School System, graduating from Cardozo High School. Believing that knowledge was something no one could ever take away from you, she continued her educational journey at the College of Southern Maryland in Charles County.

Brenda possessed a sharp mind, natural leadership abilities, and the determination to accomplish anything she set her heart on. She was a woman who understood the value of hard work, perseverance, and standing confidently in her own greatness.

A Time to Love and Embrace

Of all the titles Brenda held throughout her remarkable life, none brought her greater joy than being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Brenda was blessed with three beautiful children: Janice Williams, David Thomas, and Beatrice Johnson. She shared 32 years of marriage with her beloved husband, the late James L. “Buff” Thomas. Together, they built a life filled with family, love, laughter, and cherished memories.

Their family grew to include five beautiful grandchildren: Tierra Thomas, Denzel Johnson, Tamirra Thomas, Alexis Johnson, and Wayne Johnson II.

Now, when it came to her grandchildren, Brenda did not play about her babies! They were her pride, her joy, and some of the greatest blessings of her life. She affectionately nicknamed them “Woodah Woodah 1–5,” a name that became a special part of their family memories.

Brenda treasured every opportunity to spend time with her grandchildren. Whether she was cooking their favorite meals, sharing stories, laughing, joking, or simply enjoying their company, she made sure they knew just how deeply they were loved.

Her love was not something she simply spoke about; it was something she demonstrated every single day. She had a special way of making each grandchild feel important, protected, and treasured.

Brenda's family was her heartbeat, and the love she poured into them will continue to flow through generations.

A Time to Serve the Lord

At the tender age of 12, Brenda was baptized, beginning a lifelong journey of faith and devotion to God.

She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and believed wholeheartedly in the power of prayer, kindness, generosity, and encouragement.

Brenda understood that her purpose on this earth extended far beyond herself. She believed she was placed here to uplift others, offer a helping hand, bring joy to those around her, and leave people feeling better than she found them.

She had a gift for making people laugh, and she certainly knew how to tell a good joke! Her laughter was contagious, her words could brighten the darkest day, and her presence brought comfort to so many.

Brenda lived her faith through her actions. Whether she was offering words of wisdom, preparing a meal for someone in need, or simply lending a listening ear, she demonstrated that some of the greatest acts of love come from the simplest gestures.

She loved the Lord, she loved her family, and she loved people. And if Brenda loved you, you never had to question it!

A Time to Make History and Break Barriers

Brenda Delores Thomas was not just a hardworking woman—she was a HISTORY-MAKING WOMAN!

For 28 years, Brenda dedicated her professional life to the Department of the Navy at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division.

Throughout her distinguished career, she served as an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Counselor and Union Representative, advocating for fairness, equality, and opportunities for others.

But Brenda did not stop there! With determination, courage, and an unshakable belief in her abilities, she shattered barriers and opened doors that had previously been closed to African American women.

Brenda proudly became:

• The FIRST African American woman to become a permanent leader.
• The FIRST African American to become a permanent supervisor in production.
• The FIRST African American woman to become a General Foreman and Shift Supervisor.

Before Brenda, no woman had ever held the position of General Foreman and Shift Supervisor.

And BABY, Brenda was PROUD of those accomplishments!

If you gave her the opportunity, she was going to tell you about the history she made—and rightfully so! She had earned every bit of that pride.

Brenda was a pioneer who refused to allow barriers to define her future. She worked hard, stood tall, and proved that excellence, determination, and confidence could take a woman anywhere she wanted to go.

Her accomplishments were more than professional milestones; they were part of a legacy that demonstrated what was possible for the generations of women who would follow her.

Brenda didn't wait for someone to make room for her at the table. She earned her seat, made history, and left the door open for somebody else!

A Time to Enjoy Life, Laugh, and Play

Now, if there was one thing everybody knew about Brenda, it was that SHE KNEW HOW TO ENJOY LIFE!

Brenda believed life was meant to be lived, memories were meant to be made, and laughter was meant to be shared.

She loved traveling, exploring new places, enjoying new experiences, and making beautiful memories along the way. Whether she was taking a trip, enjoying a delicious meal, or spending quality time with the people she loved, Brenda knew how to make every moment count.

She appreciated the finer things in life, but she also understood that life's greatest treasures were often found in the simplest pleasures: good food, great company, a hearty laugh, and time spent with family.

And if you knew Brenda, you knew her favorite color was brown! It was a color she loved and one of the many little details that made her uniquely Brenda.

Brenda also loved to bowl, but when it came to playing cards, that was an entirely different story!

BRENDA WAS NOT THE ONE TO PLAY WITH AT THE CARD TABLE!

She proudly held the reputation of being one of the best female poker players in Charles County, Maryland. And when it came to Bid Whist, Brenda was an absolute expert!

She knew the cards, she knew the game, and most importantly, she knew how to WIN!

If you sat across the table from Brenda, you had better come prepared. She was competitive, sharp, quick-witted, and always ready with a little friendly trash talk.

The cards would be flying, the laughter would be rolling, and Brenda would be right in the middle of it all, enjoying every minute.

Whether she was winning a hand, telling one of her famous jokes, or keeping everybody entertained, Brenda made every gathering a little louder, a lot funnier, and much more memorable.

She didn't just come to play cards—she came to WIN, laugh, and have herself a GOOD TIME!

A Time to Cook, Feed, and Bring Everybody Together

Brenda’s passion for cooking extended beyond her kitchen, as she proudly showcased her culinary talents competing in the Pitmaster BBQ competition, bringing her signature flavor, competitive spirit, and a whole lot of soul to the grill!

NOW, LET'S TALK ABOUT BRENDA'S KITCHEN!

Because if there was one place where Brenda's love truly came alive, it was behind the stove! Brenda didn't just cook food. She cooked with love, seasoned with soul, and served every plate with a generous helping of happiness!

Her kitchen was more than a place where meals were prepared. It was a gathering place, a place of comfort, a place of laughter, and a place where unforgettable memories were made.

Brenda absolutely loved to cook, and she loved feeding people even more! Family, friends, neighbors—it didn't matter who you were. If Brenda was cooking, chances were there was enough food for you, too!

Brenda wasn't just feeding her household; she was feeding the NEIGHBORHOOD! Her door was welcoming, her heart was generous, and her pots were always filled with something delicious. She believed that nobody should leave her home hungry, and she made it her personal business to make sure everybody had something good to eat.

You didn't have to be family to get a plate from Brenda. If you came around at the right time, you were getting fed! And don't even think about telling Brenda you weren't hungry, because she was probably going to fix you a plate anyway!

Her cooking brought people together in a way that only good, home-cooked food can. Around Brenda's table, stories were shared, jokes were told, laughter filled the air, and memories were created that will last a lifetime.

But there was one particular dish that held a special place in the hearts—and stomachs—of her family.

THE GRAVY! Oh yes, Brenda's gravy was LEGENDARY! Every Thanksgiving and Christmas, there was one thing the family could count on: BRENDA WAS IN CHARGE OF THE GRAVY! It wasn't just gravy. It was a family tradition, a holiday necessity, and a masterpiece that nobody else could quite duplicate. That gravy had its own reputation!

You could have all the turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, and other holiday favorites you wanted, but everybody knew the meal wasn't complete until Brenda's gravy hit the table! And now, wouldn't you know it, her granddaughters are already fighting over who gets the famous gravy pot! Not the jewelry. Not the furniture. THE GRAVY POT! (LOL!)

Because everybody knows that pot holds more than memories of delicious meals. It represents years of love, family gatherings, holiday traditions, and the magic Brenda created every time she stepped into her kitchen.

While her granddaughters may still be debating who gets the pot, one thing is certain: the love Brenda stirred into every meal will never be forgotten.

Her recipes, her traditions, and her generous spirit will continue to live on through the hands of those she taught, the hearts of those she fed, and the countless people who were blessed to sit at her table.

Brenda's kitchen may be quiet now, but the love she served will continue feeding hearts for generations to come.

A Time to Say Farewell

On October 25, 2026, Brenda Delores Thomas peacefully completed her earthly journey, leaving behind a lifetime of beautiful memories, remarkable accomplishments, and a legacy of unconditional love.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 32 years, James L. “Buff” Thomas; her loving parents, Sydney J. F. Hemsley and Angie M. Hemsley; and her siblings Verlin, James Ross, Doris, Delores, and Beverly Ann.

Although her physical presence will be deeply missed, her laughter, her wisdom, her strength, her unforgettable personality, and her unconditional love will remain forever in the hearts of those who knew her.

A Time to Cherish Her Memory

Brenda leaves a beautiful legacy of love to be cherished by her three devoted children, Janice (Kenny) Williams, David (Cheryl) Thomas, and Beatrice (Wayne Sr.) Johnson; five loving grandchildren, Tierra Thomas, Denzel Johnson, Tamirra Thomas, Alexis Johnson, and Wayne Johnson II; and her beloved bonus grandchildren, Bessie, Leonard Jr., Lennardoe, Kenny Jr., CeCe, and Tracy.

Her legacy continues through her two precious great-grandchildren, Ivy Jade Johnson and Kobe Malique Johnson, who represent another beautiful generation of her family's love.

She also leaves to cherish her memory her loving sister, Connie Brown, and her beloved brother and “road dog,” Vernon Hemsley, with whom she shared a special bond filled with love, loyalty, and countless memories.

Brenda will also be lovingly remembered by her godchildren, Dean Holton and Marlow Waugh; her dear and special friends, Weezy Makle, Ann Hemsley, and Ben Clark; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, neighbors, and friends.

Each person who crossed Brenda's path carries a special memory of her, whether it was a kind word, a delicious meal, a good laugh, an unforgettable card game, or simply the warmth of her love.

A Legacy That Will Live Forever

How do you say goodbye to a woman who gave so much of herself to so many?

A woman who broke barriers, made history, raised a beautiful family, loved her grandchildren beyond measure, fed an entire neighborhood, and never missed an opportunity to make somebody laugh?

The answer is simple. You don't say goodbye. You celebrate a life well lived. You celebrate the mother who gave her children unconditional love.

You celebrate the grandmother who made her grandchildren feel like the most important people in the world. You celebrate the trailblazer who walked through doors that had never been opened to women before her.

You celebrate the card player who knew how to win, the cook who knew how to feed a crowd, and the woman who knew how to turn an ordinary gathering into an unforgettable celebration.

You celebrate the faith that guided her, the strength that carried her, and the love that defined her. And most importantly, you keep her legacy alive.

Every time the family gathers around the table, every time a deck of cards is shuffled, every time someone tells a good joke, every time her grandchildren share a memory, and every Thanksgiving and Christmas when that famous gravy pot makes its appearance, a little piece of Brenda will be right there with them.

Because a woman like Brenda Delores Thomas doesn't simply leave this world. She leaves footprints in history, love in the hearts of her family, laughter in the memories of her friends, and a legacy that time can never erase. Rest beautifully, Brenda. You have worked hard, loved deeply, laughed loudly, broken barriers, and blessed countless lives. Your work here is done, but your legacy is just getting started. And one thing is for certain..

HEAVEN JUST GAINED A HISTORY-MAKING, CARD-PLAYING, GRAVY-COOKING QUEEN!

Forever loved. Forever cherished. Forever our Bren, Grandma, and Ma.

Act 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Viewing 10:00 am, until time of Service  at 11:00 am, Monday, November 2, 2026, Shiloh Community United Methodist Church, 12760 Shiloh Church Road , Newburg, Maryland 20664. Interment, Shiloh Community United Methodist Church Cemetery.