BRENDA SMITH~McELROY

Brenda Laura Ann Smith McElroy made her earthly arrival on August 7, 1952 in San Diego, California to Lawrence F and Barbara Jean Smith Sr. She was oldest of the five children. She received her formal education at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic, Logan Elementary, Memorial Junior High and San Diego High School. Brenda was active in high school and graduated from San Diego High in 1970. She continued her education at San Diego City College and San Diego State University.

Brenda was raised in the church and accepted the Lord at an early age.  She was very active in the church as a youth and young adult and participated in numerous auxiliaries and served as an usher at Logan Temple AME Zion Church.

While attending San Diego State University she met Eric McElroy. The two were united in holy matrimony. After a few years the couple relocated to the Orange County. Orange County is where Brenda planted her roots. Brenda found her forte at The Baxter Company. She was a dedicated employee of Baxter and worked there until she retired. While living in Orange County she made lifelong friendships with Monica, Rosalind and Delores. She and Monica bonded as neighbors and their children attended the same school. Brenda, Rosalind and Monica shared the connection of being choir members at church. They often hung out together and attended community events. They went the MLK parade in Santa Ana yearly. Brenda talked to her sista-friends daily.

Brenda mothered two children Elaine B Smith in February 1981 and Isaiah Turner February 1992. She was passionate about family and loved them dearly. She always came home for the holidays, special occasions and for her yearly high school class reunion. She loved attending those class reunions. You could always count on her to have a funny story to tell. Brenda was the life of the party. Once the music started playing and the beat dropped you could find her in the middle of the dance floor “busting a move”. She loved to dance. Once she found a soft spot for you; you were given a nickname. Brenda had a nickname for everybody. Her gift of memory was unmatched; she could give you details of events and activities from decades ago like it happened yesterday. Brenda was a true historian.

After retiring Brenda returned back to San Diego where she continued to be an active member of the church. She eventually transferred her membership to Winston Chapel AME Zion Church under the leadership of Pastor Michael Moses. There she continued to serve on the Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society Phoenix/San Diego District, the Street Ministry, the Homeless Outreach Program, Christian Education and as the first lady’s armor bearer. Brenda was also named the Smith family’s prayer warrior.

Brenda learned the importance of service, giving to others and hard work at an early age. She and her siblings would help their parents with selling snacks at the adult classes at Memorial Junior High School. The word quickly spread about their tasty homemade baked goods and food and as a result of the many request the family business B and B Catering was birthed. Needless to say; she was an active resident in the complex where she lived. She played an integral part of her community, known for her love, kindness, warmth, laughter and unwavering support for those around her. Brenda helped out in the office and with organizing activities and events for the residents. Brenda also helped with the afterschool program facilitated by UCSD. The office staff, residents and children loved them some Ms. Brenda! If you needed a babysitter she was always willing. In addition to her love for dancing, jewelry (bracelets on both arms and rings on just about every finger) she LOVED taking pictures. If you were in her presence you were going to be her personal photographer; say cheese and smile for the camera!

She was proceeded in death by her parents Lawrence F Smith Sr, Barbara Jean Smith and her brothers Lawrence F Smith Jr “Binky” and Dwaine A Smith Sr “Doc”.

On September 18, 2024, God reached out His opened arms and welcomed Brenda Laura Ann Smith McElroy to her eternal home. She leaves to cherish her memory her children, Elaine B. Smith and Isaiah Turner (Sharon), siblings Elaine D. Smith, and Sibert Smith (Cassheila); nieces and nephews Porscha Smith-Hopkins (Tyrone), Dwaine A Smith II (Dagmara), twins Shalea and Shalyia Smith, Shalisa Lorenzo (Hinner), Leisha Reed (David), Shanelle Coleston (Ryan), Tiffany Taliaferro (Charles), Paulie Taylor, Angelo Salvatierra; great nieces and nephews Kameelah Hopkins, Kareemah Hopkins, Christopher Taliaferro, Liah Taliferro, Kymani Joseph, Mekhi Joseph, David Reed, LeeAnn Reed, Zeke Reed, Jordan Coleston, Dorian Coleston and Jordan Taylor, the cousin that’s like a little brother to her Jonathan Johnson, God-Daughter Christie Mabry, best friends Monica Hampton-Phillip, Delores and Rosalind Bradley, extended family The Ragsdale Family, The Logan Family, The Springer Family, The Mabry Family, The Barajas Family, The Jackson Family, The Blankenship Family, The Brooks Family, The Gonzalez Family and a host of relatives in California, Chicago, Milwaukee, Arizona, Florida, Oklahoma and Texas and many friends. Brenda will be remembered as a source of joy and strength.  She will truly be missed and her legacy of love and compassion will live on forever through her family, friends and all who knew her.

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