Obituary of Brenda Joyce Munro

Born 7/18/1947 in Griffin, GA and went home to be with the Lord 3/28/2007 at her home with her loving family. Click on the link below to view the online video tribute: http://videos.lifetributes.com/?id=8212 Brenda is survived by her loving husband of 27 years James; 2 daughters, Penelope Perez, Samantha Holder; son, Shawn Holder; step-daughter, Julie Hendrix; step-son, James Munro Jr.; 5 grandchildren; 4 brothers; and 1 sister. Private family services will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Edwards Memorial Center 253-566-1008. Biography: Brenda Joyce Tweedell Munro was born on July 18, 1947 in Griffin, Georgia. She was the next to the oldest of 7 children in the family. During WW II, her father James Marvin Tweedell Sr. was in the US Army and was declared MIA. It was later learned he was captured by the Germans and became a POW. Brenda’s mother Dora Deane Thacker Tweedell was also a veteran during the war, serving in the Woman’s Air Corps. When the war was over, Brenda’s Dad returned to Georgia. Brenda’s Mom and Dad separated after the war, and after having four children. Her Dad eventually moved to Florida. While in Florida, he worked in the construction industry. When Brenda’s parents separated, all four children were placed in children homes in Georgia. Brenda’s older brother Robert was placed in a separate children’s home, while Brenda and her younger brothers, Jimmy and Keith, were placed in the Methodist Children’s home in Decatur, Georgia. Her mother and father remarried. Her father then had two more sons. These brothers were named, James and John. Her mother had another daughter. Brenda’s sister was named Cynthia. When Brenda was 16 she left the Children’s home and went to be with her father in Florida. Brenda married when she was 18 years old. Brenda had 3 children, naming them Penelope Lee Holder, Samantha Ann Holder, and Shawn Michael Holder. Brenda’s first daughter, Penelope “Penny” was born on August 15, 1965. Her second daughter Samantha “Sam” was born on July 26, 1967. Her son, Shawn was born on December 16, 1974. Brenda and her family lived in Opa-locka, Florida for many years. Brenda worked as a teacher and driver for a childcare and pre-kindergarten school. After their marriage ended in 1978, she worked for the J&B Trucking Company as a bookkeeper. It was while she was employed at the trucking company, she met James Justin Munro, Sr. (1/14/1939), an accountant doing financial accounting for her employer. He had been married and had 2 children: Julie Ann Munro (10/29/1966) and James “JJ”, Jr. Munro (7/27/1964). James had divorced in 1979. After his divorce, he purchased a sailboat. James had invited Brenda to dinner and to go sailing. It was after these meetings they fell in love. James and Brenda were married in Miami, Florida on August 2, 1980. Because James had a son named James, Brenda began calling his son “JJ” and her new husband “Jay.” Between Brenda and Jay, they now had five children. Jay and Brenda moved from Miami to Graham, Washington in 1981. Penny stayed with her dad and grandmother in Miami; Julie went with her mother to North Carolina and “JJ” stayed in Miami. Jay, Brenda, Sam and Shawn, traveled from Miami to Graham with a pop-up camper trailer, along with Jay’s mother. They made many stops along the way to see the beautiful sights and enjoy the beauty of the country. Jay went to work as an auditor in 1982 for the Washington State Department of Revenue and worked in downtown Tacoma. He worked as an audit manager for the past 15 years. Brenda went to work as a cashier for a Mini-Market and Gas Station and later she was the bookkeeper for the Bonney Lake Supermarket. The children attended schools in Graham. They enjoyed weekends together, picnics, and holiday gatherings. Their days were busy with the activities of the children growing up. There were always friends and neighbors visiting and doing things. Brenda truly loved being around family, children and friends. Jay’s mother eventually moved back to Florida. After Sam graduated from Bethel HS in 1985, she went to work for Safeway Corporation in Graham. She has been employed with Safeway for 27 years, and is currently an assistant manager. While Shawn was in school, he joined the Civil Air Patrol, Mount Rainier Squadron as a cadet. Brenda and Jay were enlisted to assist the Mt. Rainier Squadron. Shawn enjoyed the air flight training. He attained the rank of Technical Sergeant. Jay was a Second Lieutenant. Brenda also became a Second Lieutenant at the Civil Air Patrol Headquarters located at McChord Air Force Base. Shawn graduated from Bethel HS in 1993. He worked in a body-piercing studio for a time and has spent 17 years working for Western Drywall and the Fox Company. Jay and Brenda purchased the home they were living in Graham in 1981. They enjoyed the view of Mt. Rainier and worked on remodeling projects. They lived in the Graham home for 20 years, but always wanted to design and build their dream home. They found property near the water in Gig Harbor and began planning their house. After they sold their home in Graham, they lived in the Fifth-Wheel on the Gig Harbor property while the house was under construction. They moved into their dream house in February 2004. Brenda began having problems with her neck and spine some 20 years ago. She had several surgeries and fusions to repair her spinal column over the years. Scar tissue from surgeries and diagnostic procedures created extensive pain for Brenda. There were several attempts to provide pain medication to the troubled areas of her back. Pain medications were subsequently administered through an implanted intrathecal pump. The medications caused other problems to her lungs including pulmonary failure. She went into comas several times. The effects of the pain medications on her lungs required many trips to the Emergency Room and Intensive Care Units, and several hospital stays. The effects of the medication also caused continued problems with COPD. Brenda was on oxygen to assist with her breathing. In September 2006, Jay retired from the Department of Revenue to care for Brenda at home. There were short periods of time that she was doing fine and enjoying her new home and her two Pomeranian puppies. Jay began doing some tax consulting from home and was able to give her full attention to her needs and desires. When the problems of pain and side effects of the pain medication were more than she could handle, she was back in Tacoma General Hospital. There she seemed to get the help breathing she needed and she was able to return home. A short time later, the same pattern of medical complications caused by the continuous administration of pain medication over time led to more problems. She was in the Tacoma Lutheran Home for programmed physical therapy only for a few hours. It was then necessary for her to return to the Tacoma General ER. After a few days there she came home with Hospice Care to keep her comfortable. Her life came to a peaceful close at home in the early afternoon hours of Wednesday, March 28, 2007, surrounded by her loving husband Jay, her daughter “Sam” and her son Shawn. Brenda truly enjoyed life with her beloved husband Jay and her children, and Jay’s children. She loved all the children no matter whose they were. She liked being called “Nana.” She was very spiritual, and lived her life truly believing in God Almighty. She always prided herself as an immaculate housekeeper and had an admirable sense of organizational skills. Her principles, values, love of family and children, and desires to always do the right things, never faltered during her many years living in pain. She enjoyed the view of the water in her new home, and being with friends and neighbors. She will always be loved and remembered by Jay, her beloved husband for almost 27 years; her daughter Penny and Penny’s daughter Amber and her new husband Elton Perez and their son Christopher; her daughter “Sam;” her son Shawn; Jay’s daughter Julie and her husband Michael Hendrix, and their children: Kaylee, Shelby, and Cassidy; her family relatives, friends, and neighbors. BRENDA’S PRAYER Brenda knew her life on this earth was limited due to her condition. In anticipation of her passing, she wrote a “Poem Prayer” two years ago for her family, extended family, relatives, and friends: 3-11-05 Thank you Father for my day divine After all it was yours to assign You’ve always been with me from beginning to end To enjoy this day with family and friends So let me say as I close my eyes My soul I charge you with forever to reside. AMEN