Brenda Grigsby

Brenda Johnson was born in the small city of Gurdon, Arkansas on August 21, 1951. She was the youngest daughter among the seven children born to Henry and Emma T. Bryant Johnson. By every account, Brenda was an intelligent, joyful and obedient child, gifted with a gentle nature that would serve her all her life. She went about her many chores at her home without complaint and took schooling seriously, excelling in it. As a young girl she found Christ and would be His faithful, loving servant for all of her days. Brenda was a 1969 graduate of Peake High School and later attended Henderson State University. She met and married the handsome Hura D. Grigsby on May 28, 1980 and was a stunning bride. The Lord added to their union three children. She was a member and co-founder of Unity Church of God In Christ in Hot Springs where she served as an Evangelist Missionary. A woman of God who did not believe in laziness, she worked untiringly and faithfully in the ministry in order to implement the vision given to her. She made every effort to share all of her love and grace with many she interacted with. Whether it was at the library, at the grocery store or at church she was always there to lend her helping hand or give encouraging words of advice.  She enjoyed a successful career as a librarian at the Garland County Library. Brenda was a very hard-working woman who worked tirelessly all of her adult life, until her health declined. Much of her hard work was motivated to provide all that she could for Reginald and Shalanya. Although she was occupied with work and the ministry, she remained a devoted mother to her children and grandchildren. Friends and family knew that her children were the delight of her life. She enjoyed traveling; she loved shopping, clean fun, good food and interacting with people. A woman of great beauty, poise, elegance and grace, her radiant smile shined like a beacon of light in the darkness and she brought joy into the lives of all she touched. Brenda passed from time into eternity on Friday, April 4, 2014 with her family at her bedside. She was preceded in her passing by her parents; her daughter, Ramona Grigsby (1978); a sister, Mabel Jeffrey and a brother, Harold Redmon. She leaves to cherish her precious memories and await her glorious resurrection: her husband, Hura D. Grigsby of Hot Springs; her devoted children, Reginald (Debonique) Grigsby of Orlando, FL and Shalanya Grigsby of Hot Springs, AR; four beautiful grandchildren, Levrick Grigsby of Little Rock, AR, Exavian Christon of Hot Springs, AR, Akayah Grigsby of Conway, AR and Jaquaylen Grigsby of Orlando, FL;  one sister, Emma (James) Wingfield of Gum Springs, AR; and three brothers, Roy (JoAnn) Johnson of Jacksonville, AR, Henry Johnson of Smithton, AR and Jimmy Perry of Gum Springs, AR. She also leaves nieces, nephews, cousins, her Garland County Library family, her beloved Unity COGIC family and a special friend Bernice Gordon-Henry. Services to celebrate her life will be shared with friends on Saturday, April 12, 2014 at 2:30 p.m. at St. Ruth Baptist Church in Gum Springs, Arkansas. Rev. Greg Eichelberger will serve as the celebrant. Interment will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.   Public visitation will be from 1-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home and the family will receive friends from 7-8 pm.