Brenda Avis Chambless

Brenda Avis Chambless, age 74, met the Savior she loves face to face on December 4, 2024. She spent her last earthly days in a small, compassionate memory care home in Castle Rock, Colorado. She was born, along with her twin sister Glenda, on December 12, 1949, in Atlanta, Georgia, and lived her life in Smyrna. Brenda was a graduate of Campbell High School in Smyrna and received her bachelor’s degree from Georgia Southern University. Vocationally, she worked in finances at a local florist in Smyrna.

Brenda grew up gardening with her farm-raised father and the family. So it was no surprise that she excelled in growing beautiful vegetables in her adult life in the large garden plot on Austin Drive. She also kept up the yard and house exterior through most of her 50 years at that location. In the home she enjoyed cooking and paying the bills. Her favorite hobby was photography. Perhaps Brenda’s greatest service to others was to help her sister care for her mother, Avis, who stayed in her home until her homegoing in 2021.

Brenda was preceded in death by her parents, Avis and York Chambless, and her twin and best friend, Glenda, who died one month earlier. There is something powerful about the symbiotic relationship between twins. She is survived by her brother, David; her sister-in-law, Lynn; and by three nieces and nephews and seven grandnieces and grandnephews.

Most importantly, Brenda was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, with a lifelong trust in Him as her Savior and Master. These days she stays busy worshipping and casting her crowns at His feet. Brenda gave her life to Jesus at a young age and was baptized at First Baptist Church in Smyrna, where her father, Rev. York Chambless, was pastor. Brenda, along with her sister, taught children’s Sunday School for many years at Trinity Fellowship in Austell where she was a faithful member for over 50 years. Her faith persevered even through the difficulty of dementia. She would mouth the words of Amazing Grace as her brother and sister-in-law would sing in those last weeks in the memory care home. And the last discernible words she spoke, just four days before she died, were her brother’s name and, in response to his question “May I pray for you?”, a very clear, emphatic “Please do”.