Brenda Jewell (Browning) Wood

Brenda Jewell Browning Wood, 79 of Narrows, VA went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at her home.  Brenda was born on February 23, 1943, in Narrows and was a daughter of the late Millard Heulett Browning and Etta Leoda Church Browning.  Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years and love of her life, Roger Dale Wood; her siblings Priscilla Dean and Calvin Thomas; and her father-in-law, John William Wood Jr. She has left behind her mother-in-law, Hazel Wood, her loving daughter Erin Wood Burton (Mike); granddaughter, Savanna Hammond (Kyle); grandson, Chandler Burton and friend Kelsey Vaught; and great granddaughter Rori Lynn; brother-in-law, J.W. Wood (Jennifer); sisters-in-law Paula Taylor (Richard) and Betsy Wood; nieces, Emily Foster (Chris) and her children Matthew, Morgan, and Macy; Julie Strowd (Zach) and their son, Holden; Adrienne Webb and her daughters Stella and Jewel. She would also want mentioned her lifelong friendships with Bill and Lois Riddle and their family, Jewel Good, Buford Tawney, Jerry and Becky Rhodes, and her special double first cousin Marie Lambert and late Bob Lambert – all of whom she loved so dearly. We are also extremely grateful for her unwavering caregivers who loved her as their own - Karen Lucas, Sandra Thompson, and Nancy Ford.

Until she grew ill, she was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church of Narrows, VA.  Many of her closest friends were made there as she was a member of the choir, the SewFlakes quilting group, an avid volunteer for the Wytheville Children’s Home, and was a Sunday school teacher in earlier years. She was a member of the Progress in Narrows Now (PINN) committee and she brought the idea for the Christmas Snowflakes that hang around town.

Most will remember her for her sweet laugh and her willingness to help anyone in need, but most importantly she will be remembered for her dedication to her family while ensuring Erin, Savanna, and Chandler had every opportunity to live life to the fullest no matter the time or the cost that ensued. Brenda and Roger accepted every friend the kids made along the way as family.

Anyone who knew Brenda knows she gained beautifully quilted wings as she entered the gates of Heaven to rejoin and rejoice with her loving husband, Roger Dale and her amazing parents. And for anyone needing a reminder from her in the days ahead always remember “Pretty is as pretty does”.  

Funeral services will be held, Monday, November 14, 2022, at 2pm at the First Presbyterian Church in Narrows with the Rev Shirley Larson and Rev. Dr. Fred L. Austin officiating with burial following in the Birchlawn Burial Park in Pearisburg.  The family will receive friends at the Givens-Riffe Funeral Home in Narrows Sunday evening from 5 – 7 pm. Pall Bearers will be Mike Burton, Chandler Burton, Kyle Hammond, Bobby Lambert, Brian Jennell, Bill Riddle, Bobby Lilly, Sonny Frazier, and J.W. Wood, Tim Robertson. Honorary Pall Bearers are Jerry Rhodes, Mason Johnson,  Bob Frazier and Buford Tawney.

The family is being served by Givens – Riffe Funeral Service in Narrows, (540) 726-2442, and online at riffefuneralservice.com.

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