Obituary of Brenda Ward Barrett

Obituary – Brenda Ward Barrett

~~~

Brenda Ward Barrett passed away on February 8, 2024, at the age of 72, after an impressive and courageous battle with her health.  She was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend to many, and we are comforted in her peace and in her soul being forever at rest with the Lord. 

Brenda was born on November 25, 1951, in Dallas, Texas.  She attended Dallas schools and later gave birth to her first child, Tim.  She met and married A.L. Barrett, with whom she had one daughter, Anetha. She worked in nursing and healthcare services at Baylor Hospital, Baylor Center for Rehabilitation, and Medical City-Dallas for a combined 25+ years.  Brenda’s passion for health advocacy led her to attain state certification in home healthcare, emphasis in elder care, with her working in private homes until her retirement.  She was a member of Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church, and supported numerous civic and community causes alongside her family and close friends.

Core to Brenda’s spirit was being a loving and caring supporter of others.  She channeled pain and lessons from her overcoming breast cancer into health advocacy.  As she endured additional illnesses over the next few years, her spirit never faultered; instead, she leaned further into her faith, became even more active, and continued bringing more people into her network of love and compassion.  Brenda established herself as a dedicated resource and guide to others in her community and beyond on matters around preventative health, regularly setting their doctor appointments and providing transportation.  If someone was sick or in the hospital, she was there….all despite her own occasional health issues.  If someone had health concerns or issues, they called Brenda.

Brenda’s greatest love was her family, particularly her children and grandchildren; they spent a lot of time together, a regular occurrence that included laughter, food, and games.  She was erll-travelled, affording her a front row seat to many exciting places in the U.S. and abroad.  She loved the Lord and lived a very comfortable life, doing what she wanted, being a loving supporter to many, and partaking in the many cultural, social, and entertainment offerings of Dallas and beyond.  Anything she did was with style, as fashion was always a signature element of her personality.

Brenda was preceded in death by her parents, Fred Ward and Eddie Jane Manning Ward; sister, Marilyn Jordan; brother, Benny Ray Ward; step-son A.L. Barrett, III; sister, Deborah Kay Ward; and brother-in-law, Willie Foster, Sr.   She is survived by her children, Tim Ward and Anetha Ward; grand-children, Ashlee Ward and Adriel Ward-Rogers; husband, A.L. Barrett, Jr.; sisters, Barbara Foster, Alice Ward, Pearlie Jean Ward (Albert), Diane Ward, Patricia Ward (Obbie), Vernetta Sherrard (Bobby), Sandra Webb (Gary), and Sabrina Ward; brothers, Willie Fred Ward and Reginald Ward; step-children, Angela Barrett Mays (Steve) and Antron Barrett; brother-in-law, Samuel Barrett, Sr. (Angela); and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. 

Brenda was truly an inspiration who worked tirelessly to help others, consistently providing hope and love.  She remains our guardian angel!