Brenda Ann Carson was born October 14, 1958 in Clinton, Mississippi. She was the daughter of Ms. Dorothy Nichols and Mr. Ray Spann. She departed this life on December 12, 2017.

She attended Summerhill High School, excelling in athletics, including both cheerleading and softball. After finishing high school at 17, Brenda thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities afforded her while serving in the United States Army. She made lifelong friendships and was able to travel the world. In 1996, having achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant, Brenda retired after 20 years of honorable service. Shortly after retiring from the Army, she began working as a Postal Clerk for the United States Postal Service, where she continued working until her untimely passing.

Brenda was a very loving woman. She was a devoted daughter, mother, grandmother, a loyal friend, and, above all else, a woman who knew and feared the Lord. She accepted Christ in 1970 at Missionary Baptist Church and later became a member of Daniel Circle Chapel on Fort Jackson, South Carolina. In 1993, her inward love of God was reflected in the way she outwardly loved others: unselfishly, unconditionally, and wholeheartedly. She was a very family-oriented person who loved gathering together with her loved ones. She loved westerns and karate movies; and her “happy place” was the Post Exchange (PX), where everyone knew her by first name.

To know Brenda was to love her. To be in her presence was a gift. Her smile could light up even the darkest room. Her laugh was infectious and unlike any other. You couldn’t help but smile at just the mention of her name. She was a genuine person with a genuine heart. She never held her tongue and always spoke the truth, whether you wanted to hear it or not.

Brenda operated in kindness and with sincerity. She was notorious for taking people under her wing and had a host of people who, although not related by blood, considered her nothing less than family. She will be deeply missed, and her memory will be forever etched on the hearts of everyone who knew her.

Brenda predeceased by her father, Nathaniel Nichols, Sr.; her grandmother, Willie M. Morgan; and her nephew, Trashaun Spann.

She leaves to cherish precious memories and special moments, her son, DeMario Carson, and granddaughter, Amariyah Carson of Columbia, South Carolina; her mother, Dorothy M. Nichols of Clinton, Mississippi; brothers: Curtis McFarland of Chicago, Illinois and Nathaniel Nichols Jr. of Clinton, Mississippi; and sisters: Linda F. Easterling of Clinton, Mississippi, Ruby Nichols of Jackson, Mississippi, Irie (Mario) Swan of Byram, Mississippi, Annie (Johnny) Williams of Jackson, Mississippi, Wanda Spann and Kathy Hamilton, both of Caruthersville, Missouri. She is also survived by her nieces: LaQuanna Easterling, Angela McFarland, Tia’Shauna Cash, Emily Blount, Pamela McGee and Ayaanna Stringfellow; nephews: Tommy Nichols, Courtney Nichols, Labrice Nichols, Rayshon Stringfellow, Willie Moore and Anthony Ephfrom; and other loving relatives and friends, all of whom will miss her dearly.