CELEBRATION OF LIFE Brenda Lynn MitchellSUNRISE: FEBRUARY 17, 1963 SUNSET: AUGUST 30, 2022 Homegoing Service Visitation: 10am Services: 11am St. Paul Baptist Church 119 Elm Montclair,StreetNew Jersey 07042 Friday, September 9, 2022 Rev. Dr. Bernadette Glover, Presiding***Mask Required
Brenda valued her friendships and had a special bond with each and every one of them. She would never miss a birthday, event, or a chance to support her friends in the best way that she could. Brenda would always say, "I have good friends" and most recently she hosted a Friends Appreciation Luncheon, just to say thank you, and give a gesture to let them know just how much they meant.
Brenda is preceded in death by her father, Roland Mason; sister, Debra Mason and her niece, Nicole Mason. She leaves to cherish her memories, her mother, Susie Mason; her husband Bryan Mitchell; son, Dawan Littlejohn; daughter, Dominique Littlejohn; three grandchildren, Aniyla Rose, Londyn Marie, and Zion Trystan; two brothers, Ronald Mason and Michael Mason (Sybil); and nephew, Jovon Clark. Brenda also leaves to cherish a host of Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and closeBrendafriends.welove you, but God loves you more. Well Done.
BRENDA LY MITCHELL
On August 30, 2022, the Lord called Brenda Lynn Mitchell home. She was born on February 17, 1963, to Roland and Susie Mason. Brenda received her education in the East Orange school district, where she graduated from East Orange High School in 1981. She attended and graduated from the American Institute of Business School where she obtained her Administrative Professional Certificate. Brenda was baptized at age 12 at Peaceful Zion Baptist Church in East Orange, NJ. She accepted the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ again, when she joined Fountain Baptist Church and was a committed member for many years. Brenda started her career in 1981 with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Newark, NJ as a Stenographer. She then began working as an Administrative Assistant at AT&T in 1986 and worked there for 21 years. Brenda then continued her professional career at Novartis Pharmaceutical in 2007 as an Administrative Assistant. She was a committed employee and received several promotions then retired after 13 years as a Sr. Administrative Assistant.
Brenda always put her family first. She believed in traditional values and loved being a wife to Bryan, a mother to Dawan and Dominque and a grandmother, affectionately known as Gigi, to her three grandchildren. She also had a special connection with her oldest granddaughter, Aniyla Rose. Brenda was her children’s biggest supporter and cheerleader. She cherished family memories and always yearned to make more, especially around the holidays. Brenda loved having all of her family around during Thanksgiving and Christmas and reveled in the compliments of her cooked dishes. She was a wonderful daughter to her mother and always ensured that she checked on her every day. Brenda was also a great Auntie and more like a mom to her nephew Jovon. She loved to travel, attend Broadway plays and dining out. Brenda also loved shopping, she spared no expense because she believed in pure quality and was considered a true fashionista. She especially loved fresh cut flowers and plants. Her favorite pastime was taking random trips to the mall and sitting outside enjoying her sunroom with the favorite paw pet, Remy.
Brenda married James Littlejohn in 1986, and from this union two beautiful children were conceived, Dawan and Dominique. In 1998, she met the love of her life Bryan Mitchell while working at AT&T. They were friends first and then began dating, and after five years, they married on June 11, 2004. Brenda always described Bryan as the gentlest man she knew outside of her father. She would smile fondly as she described him and would always say he reminded her of her dad. Brenda and Bryan enjoyed spending time together going to dinner, movies, and participating and supporting Masonic Lodge activities. She especially enjoyed preparing and dressing up for the Annual Mason Ball and would always say Bryan looked so handsome in his clothes.
Daughter • Sister • Mother • Wife • Aunt • Friend
During high school, Brenda was very popular. She was on the cheerleading team and was known to be creative. She loved to sew. She made all her own clothes. She was voted “Best Dressed” by the senior class, and was the runner up for prom queen.
ORDER OF SERVICE ST. PAUL BAPTIST CHURCH Rev. Dr. Bernadette Glover, Presiding PRELUDE "Take me to the King" by Tamela Mann OPENING DECLARATION Rev. Dr. Bernadette Glover PRAYER OF COMFORT Jazmyne Jenkins THE SCRIPTURE SPEAKS Old Testament - Psalm 23 Dawn Teresa Bosier New Testament -John 14:1-3 Annie Calloway REFLECTIONSChalyndaPOEMMaynardANDREMARKSDawanLittlejohnDominqueLittlejohnACKNOWLEDGMENTS Olivia Williams MINISTRY OF SONG "I Can Only Imagine" by Anthony Barr OBITUARY READING Angela Plummer Jones MINISTRY OF SONG "Wind Beneath my Wings" by Anthony Barr WORDS OF COMFORT Rev. Dr. Bernadette Glover RECESSIONAL "Every Praise" by Hezekiah Walker
LoveBrenda,you and miss you so much. Until we meet again. Love Mommyalways, There is something about losing a Mother that is permanent and inexpressible- a wound that will never quite heal. But with the support and family I have I believe I got this. Love your Son, Dawan
MissMissWeYouWeYou
NowMommy,Iknow why you always told me to be strong. You knew that one day I would need the strength to bear your loss. Death leaves a heartache only God can heal, Love leaves a memory no one can steal. My guardian Angel, I love you forever Your DominiqueDaughter, I will forever miss my glamorous Gigi Love you, Your Grandaughter Aniyla Dear Step Mom, You were graceful in your commitment to assuring me that I was not only welcome to your home, but also your heart. The effort you took to make sure Dawan , Dominique and myself was raised together as siblings can never be over looked. The love and support you showed me throughout my childhood is something I'll always be grateful of. Your ability to make my presents normal, never made me feel like a step child, but just a extension to your family. I love you dearly and will miss that signature laugh. Don't worry I'll continue to be a big brother and be there for my siblings. Just like you always wanted. Yours QuadreeTruly, To my bestie sister/ friend. You have been the sunshine in my soul for over 50 years. You are my ride or die, my confidant and my fashionista. You can never be replaced. I’ve always had your back and you have had mine. Rest easy my sister til we meet again. Love you
Always and forever, Shelly Littlejohn My Sister-Friend Brenda Words can not express h,ow important you have been in my life. Since meeting you over twenty years ago you have not missed a beat. You have always been very supportive, loving, and truly embraced friendship. Brenda, you exemplified excellence in everything you did. You were truly loved by all and will be greatly missed. Sister-friend....you have earned your wings and heaven has gained an angel. I will cherish our memories forever.
WE WILL MISS YOUWE WILL MISS YOU
To my sweet, sweet loving sister, friend and my personal diarybrenda , you never said I’m leaving, you never said goodbye, you were gone before I knew it and only god knew why! They say there is a reason, they say time will heal, neither time or reason will change the way I feel. Gone are the days we used to share, from shopping, braiding my hair or just lending me your ear. I will never forget your affectionate laugh and beautiful smile. I’ve learned so much from you. I’ll miss you more than anybody knows. All those special memories of you will always be in my heart!
When I think of Brenda, the first things that come to mind is her undeniable class, sense of style, beauty and her infectious laugh. Brenda and my mom were friends so I was raised with Dawan and Dominique. Brenda treated me more than just the daughter of her friend, she was more like an Aunt! I would come by to visit and she would make me feel right at home. She would feed me and give me advice about life, or we would just talk about the latest hair or makeup trends. Those times I shared with her and the words of wisdom, I will hold close to my heart forever. To an amazing Mother, Grandmother, Wife, Sister, Aunt and Friend, Brenda I love you and will miss you so! God blessed me with the opportunity of being in your presence.
“May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest, at thy coming may the martyrs receive thee and bring thee into the holy city Jerusalem.” Take your rest sweet Brenda, we will see you in the morning….Well ~Done!Humbly Submitted With Love (your cousin) Pastor Simone Hankerson Brenda, my sister-friend, Our sisterhood and friendship is one that will forever remain in my heart. I miss you so much and will always cherish the beautiful memories we have shared. You always were present and if you couldn’t be you would make a point to make it up. I admired you and your strength. Your joy of life was infectious. I will truly miss our conversations, your laugh, swapping pictures, sharing our daily adventures and just hearing your voice!!! I love you. Rest well beautiful, you truly deserve it. Until we meet again… Chalynda
Love Matricealways, To My Sister Queen; who walked with Grace when she entered a room. Brenda you were a Phenominal Woman that shared love to everyone that crossed your path. Thank you for allowing me to be apart of your Life and showing me how to keep my steps in order during this journey we call Life. I cherish every moment that we shared. Rest well my Sister Queen until we meet again... Jeannette...Love & Peace Bren, from the day we met back in 2006, we became friends. I admired your love and compassion for your family & friends as well as your strong passion for life. A great listener and a bright light shining in a dark world. You inspired me and so many others with your enduring strength. And you will always be my fashionista! I love you! Until we meet again. Rest In Peace, Nanci
Love ShanéForever,Johnson
“When we were all 16 and able to get our working papers, Mrs. Brenda got Dominique and all our friends jobs at Annie Sez in Millburn. We were so happy to be working and to have our own money to spend. That was my first job ever and I will always remember that Mrs. Brenda helped me get it. RIP, you will truly be missed.”~ Chanel Rutty Momma Brenda, Thank you for always being the light and joy when I entered your presence. Thank you for accepting me into your home on countless occasions and never yelling at me for carving my name in your bedroom wall with Dominique. Thank you for loving my friend they way you did! I will miss you and love you always! Rest well! ~ Jazmyne Jenkins RIH Mrs. Brenda, you were such an amazing soul! I’m gonna miss your laugh and your smart mouth, lol, always kept my friend on her P’s & Q’s ! So grateful for you bringing life to my sister friend. I am so happy to have met her and you raised a beautiful woman and I am so glad to be able to call her my friend ! Please watch over her and let her know you're still with her in spirit. I know she’ll continue to make you proud so you can rest in peace! We love you and miss you. Untill we meet again, Olivia Williams Mrs. ThankMitchellyoufor showing us what resilience looks like. I never saw you without a smile on your face, and that unique laugh that filled up the room. I pray that you met the Lord with a loving embrace with peace in your heart and that same smile on your face. You will be missed. ~Anie Calloway Brenda - a great inspiration to those you shared your life so willingly. The joy you brought to your mother, husband, children, grandchildren, friends and family was immeasurable. Your raspy laugh will be missed, your soft spoken tone will fade into eternity, but your memory will live on forever. You have fought a “good” fight, you have finished your course & kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for you a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give you at that day.
SERVICES ENTRUSTED
Miss me but let me go by When I come to the end of the road And the sun has set for me I want no rites in a gloom-filled room. Why cry for a soul set free? Miss me a little–but not too long And not with your head bowed low. Remember the love that we once shared, Miss me–but let me go. For this is a journey that we all must take And each must go alone. It's all a part of the Master's plan, A step on the road to home. When you are lonely and sick of heart Go to the friends we know And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds. Miss Me–But Let me Go! INTERMENT Rosedale Cemetery 408 Orange Road | Montclair, New Jersey 07042
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
PROFESSIONAL TO: Martin's Home For Service Inc. 48 Elm Street | Montclair, NJ 07042 Repast will be immediately after interment at St. Paul’s Baptist Church Program Design Courtesy of Angela Hendrix Bell, VXPRO, Inc.
