Mrs. Brenda Joyce Brookins Smith was born June 3, 1942, in Hallsville, Texas to a family of 16 siblings. She went home to be with the Lord on April 15, 2025, in Kilgore, Texas at the Willow Nursing & Rehabilitation.  

She was employed at the Seamstree in Kilgore, Texas. She also worked at Regional Hospital and Good Shepherd Hospital.  She was a captain of volleyball and basketball; and, a pool shark.  

On October 30, 1960, she married R. L. Smith and to this union five children were born.  

Brenda was preceded in death by her husband: R.L. Smith; mother and father: Anniel & Lacy Brookins; seven brothers: James Perry Brookins, Anniel Brookins Jr., L.C. Brookins, Charles Ray Brookins, James Earl Brookins, and Franklin Johnson; five sisters: Mary Brookins, Beaulah Shelton, Lucy Mae Brookins, Alice Marie Brookins and Margaret Brookins; daughter: Beverly J. Smith; son: Robert Lee Smith; and grandson: Anniel Dixon.  

Brenda is survived by her children: Terry (Quitfe) Smith (Dallas, Texas), Charles (Joann) Smith (Kilgore, Texas), Jimmy (Sherea) Smith (Longview, Texas), Angela Sheffield (Austin, Texas), and, Leo Sheffield (Austin, Texas); brother: Wilbert Lee Brookins; and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great-great-grandchildren.