Brenda Lee Garrard Chaney

Brenda Lee Garrard Chaney was born at Watts Hospital in Durham on December 6, 1940. She grew up as a member of Watts Street Baptist Church. Brenda was salutatorian of the Class of 1959 at Durham High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1963. She was pleased to be honored as “Miss Durham 1961”. Brenda became a high school English teacher, teaching in Maryland after her marriage to Eugene Chaney, Jr. of Lothian, Maryland and then in North Carolina. She later worked for Measurement Incorporated until her retirement.

Brenda was a strong person who kept her deep Christian faith during difficult circumstances and was a devoted, loving mother to her four children. While raising them as a single parent, she also served her community as a Sunday School teacher and a volunteer with many community organizations throughout the years, including the Christmas Angels project, community crisis hotline, food pantry, and women’s shelter. She was a lifelong learner who loved to read, most recently the works of and tributes to President Jimmy Carter. She deeply valued her friends and many relatives and was quick to provide support or help. She also delighted in her animals. Brenda played piano and sang in church choirs. She also enjoyed antiques, art, cooking, family genealogy and stories, gardening, American history, old movies, sewing, and studying the Bible.

Brenda is survived by her children Kim Chaney-Bay (Jeff Bay), Mary Grace Werner (Ted), and David Chaney (Jennifer); her grandchildren, Seth Werner, Johannah Bay, Cason Werner, Amalia Bay, Emma Chaney, and Mia Chaney; her brother, Dan Garrard (Nancy); her goddaughter, Suzanne Brown Talbot (Frank), her nieces and nephews, in-laws, and many first cousins. She also leaves behind dear friends and full-time caregivers, Theresha Rochelle and Thelma Sims. Brenda was pre-deceased by her mother, Lottie Estelle (Byrd) Garrard, her father, Hubert Lee Garrard; her daughter, Caroline Lee Chaney; her former husband, Gene; and her brother Dave Garrard.

Services will take place on Saturday, March 8 at 11:00 am at New Hope Presbyterian Church at 4701 NC-86 with burial immediately following. Those attending are welcome to arrive any time after 10:00 am to visit with the family in the church courtyard before the service.

Flowers may be sent directly to the church through Victoria Park Florist. Donations in Brenda’s memory may be made to the Animal Protection Society of Durham, the Carter Center, or the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).