Brenda Joyce Bender

Brenda Joyce Bender, 84, was called home on September 10, 2024. She passed peacefully as she earned her wings on this morning. Brenda was born on May 10, 1940 on Paradise Island in Kissimmee, Florida to parents Woodrow and EunieVae Busbee. She grew up with three other sisters and according to her, she was the "tomboy" of the sisters as she was always "rough and tough" and climbing trees all the time. Brenda had always talked about being raised by a loving and caring father and mother and loved her sisters dearly. Brenda had an adventurous nature and truly loved helping and serving others. She was definitely a social butterfly who never met a stranger. She volunteered for several years at Father's Kitchen Ministry at First Baptist Church of Umatilla. She would pick up bread at local supermarkets and help make sandwiches and soup for the less fortunate. Serving is where she truly shined. Some of Brenda's other ventures brought her, in her earlier years, to drive and operate a "Dots on the Dot" sandwich truck. She actually served sandwiches to some of the construction crews who were in the late stages of building Disney World. Brenda also became a Scuba Diver Instructor and taught her children how to dive. She later in life started, owned and operated an airboat tour business in Hernando, Florida taking tourists out in the swamplands of the Withlacoochee. She also worked as a cashier at several grocery stores and worked as a waitress/hostess for Sonny's Bar-B-Que in Eustis for over 16 years. She was also a member of the Family of Faith Riders Motorcycle Club. She had her own Trike that she drove herself. Brenda was most at peace when she was with Family and Friends. She loved being a Christian and loved her Church. Her favorite saying was, "God" this is going to be a beautiful day." She will be missed tremendously. Brenda is preceded in death by her: Father (Woodrow), Mother (EunieVae), Sister (Jean) and Son (Steve). Brenda is survived by: Sisters (Jackie) and (Janice), Daughter (Roxann), Son-in-Law (Johnny) Daughter-in-Law (Debi) and Son (Michael). Granddaughters (Ashley), her husband (Jon) (Shannon), her husband (Chase) and Grandson (Chad) and his wife (Nina). Great-grandsons, (Levi), (Braydon) and (Cash). Great-granddaughter, (Sloan). She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Celebration of Life will be held: October 19th, 2024 at 10:00am with fellowship and light refreshments afterwards. First Baptist Church of Umatilla 550 Hatfield Drive Umatilla, Florida 32784 ** In lieu of flowers, Brenda would love donations to go to Fathers Kitchen Ministry at First Baptist Church of Umatilla. Please feel free to dress in casual attire. **

Brenda Joyce Bender

May 10, 1940 - September 10, 2024