Brenda was born on January 29, 1945, in Dallas, Texas, to Lillian and Roscoe Dodson of Bonham, Texas. She was welcomed by her older brother, Don, who was three years old at the time.
Brenda always wore a smile and had a gift for making people feel welcome. She loved deeply and cared for everyone around her. Whether it was family, friends, animals, or the plants she carefully tended, Brenda had a nurturing spirit that touched everything in her life. She treasured her many friendships and loved being surrounded by people. Some of her happiest moments were spent on warm summer evenings, sitting outside and watching the hummingbirds dart and fuss over the backyard feeders or evening dinners with her friends on her backyard porch.
While growing up in Bonham, Brenda was active in many school organizations, serving as Reporter for the Bel Canto Choir, Secretary and President of the Future Homemakers of America, and President of the Library Assistants. She was also voted Most Dependable by her high school graduating class-a title that reflected the way she lived her life.
She married Gerald Jennings on July 5, 1963, and together they made their home in Sherman, Texas, where they raised their two children, Monte and Kelly.
Brenda spent many years working in the legal profession. She worked for both Judge David Brown and Federal Judge Paul Brown in Sherman. She was highly respected by the many law clerks that started their careers at the Federal Building . She even typed the speech that Paul Brown delivered at her son's high school graduation in 1987.
Brenda was preceded in death by her parents, Lillian (Busby) and Roscoe Dodson.
She is survived by her brother, Don Dodson and his wife, Carol, of South Carolina; her nephew, Robert Dodson; her son, Monte Jennings of Rowlett, Texas; and her daughter, Kelly Jennings Bordelon, her husband, Mark, and her grandson, Drake Bordelon, of Houston, Texas.
Plans for a Celebration of Life are currently being made. If you have photos you would like to share, please do so. If you are unable to attend but would like to send a special memory or story about Brenda, the family would be honored to receive and share those memories during the celebration.
