Brenda Ann Smith entered into eternal rest on Sunday, July 13, 2025 at the age of 74. Born on August 17, 1950 in Newport News, Virginia, Brenda was the second of four children from the union of the late William and Amanette Sessom. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents Herbert and Lilly Stephenson, paternal grandparents William and Verlie Sessom, aunt Annette Stephenson, cousin Larry Leon Stephenson, nephews Chinelo Gibson and Wolf Mason-El, and granddaughter Gabriella Joy Davis. 

Affectionately referred to as “BrendaMa,” Ms. Smith was a proud graduate of Huntington High School. During her career, Brenda served as an Administrative Assistant for the Virginia Equal Opportunity Employment Commission, co-operated a ceramics shop of which she was very proud, and served as a teacher’s assistant for Newport News Public Schools, among many positions that she held serving others. Brenda is survived by her uncle Andrew Stephenson (Mary), two aunts Mable Terry and Terry Williams, sisters Linda Sessom Hodges and Shirley Sessom, brothers William H. Sessom lll (Jenelle) and Shawn Ellis (Venette), cousins James Stephenson (Rebecca) and Tony Stephenson (Charlotte), children Fernando Davis, De’Veda Alston (Kevin), Mikael Davis (Kim), and Gregory Walcott (Shenita), nieces Keena Sessom, Chiquita Jones, Meta Mason-Lacott, and Natasha Jackson, and Niajah Ellis, nephews Robert Dixon Jr., Derek Dixon (Krystal), and Isaiah Gibson, great nephews Justin Dixon, Chinelo Gibson Jr., Shaquille Sessom, Jaquan Sessom, Adhaan Mason, Elijah Colbert, DeShawn Crawley. 

She was so proud to be a grandmother to Larry Rhames, Shane Walker, Marie Davis, De’Onta Harrington, Malik Wells, Fernando L. Davis, III, Laura Severson, Briana Alston, Te’Yana Lassiter, Raven Barrett, Trinity Gamboa, Destiny Davis, Jahleel Davis, Isaiah Davis, Alexis Alston, Danyel Alston, Kayla Alston, Paul Stephen Davis, Jalyn Fewster, and Javion Farmer. 

Great-grandchildren Sa’Niya Neveah Pope, Layla Davis, Sanai Wells, Sophia Joy Gamboa, Adrian Gamboa, Deon Amari Janifer, Na’im Harrington, Andres Murillo Gamboa, Miracle Angel Barrett, and Shalaina Joy Skyers, great nieces Ambryana Dixon, Destiny Dixon, Anaiah Dixon, Karma Dixon, and Rose Dixon, great nephew Derek Dixon, Jr., and great-great nephews Noel Dixon and Jakari Sessom will cherish her memory.  Brenda was so proud of her progeny’s achievements and career pursuits.

Brenda’s Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Coastal Church, located at 101 Village Avenue, Yorktown, VA 23693