Brenda was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Woodfin Sims, whom she adored and honored throughout her life.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Larry Dowdy. Her legacy lives on through her only daughter, Kimberly (Jerry) Willoughby, and her grandson, Jeris Willoughby, whom she loved dearly; stepdaughters, Amy (Theodore) Mike, Faith (Willie and children Cameron, Destiny and Madison) Freeman. Brenda is also survived by her dedicated best friend "rider" and sister, Joyce (Reginald) McKeever; half-sister, Marie (Glen & daugther, Nicole) Easley; her only niece, Ericka McKeever; sister-in-laws, Mary Ann Faust, Joann Turner, Rose Mae (Wille) Clarke; and brother-in-law, Al (Lillie) Dowdy;, along with a host of other family and friends.