Brenda Anne Smith

Brenda Anne Smith was born on Thursday July 2nd, 1942 in London to James Edgar Vincett and Gladys Millicent Lloyd. She was the middle of three children, with elder brother Brian (deceased) and younger sister Sheila. She is survived by Sheila, her children Diane and Derek, her adopted children Monica, Mary, Sandy, Beatrice, and Jessica, step children Christine, Eddy and Richard, as well as grandchildren Liam, Niall, Cairan, Connor, Alexus, Brooke, Charlie, Catherine, Xander, Alexa, Ryan, Isabel, and Addison.

Brenda was raised by her parents in the Pooles Park Tavern Public House in Finsbury Park, London. Brenda often spoke of her childhood, where she would sleep in on weekends before being awoken by the roar of the Arsenal football crowd or by the smell of a Sunday roast cooking. She often reminisced about childhood evenings with her siblings, listening to her mother sing and play the piano in their pub, or to her father recalling his experiences as a fireman during the London bombing blitz of WW2.

Brenda attended Tollington Park School, and remarkably remained in touch with her close school friends up until the day she passed. Brenda loved to dance; throughout her life, if she was in a room or in her car there was music playing. She travelled extensively through Europe in her youth, and always maintained that her favorite destination was Italy.

Brenda married Denis Patrick Hearn in 1963 and moved to St. Agatha Square, Shoreditch, London, before moving to Tramway Avenue, Edmonton, London in 1965. There they raised their two children Diane and Derek. Brenda began her lifelong passion for home renovation and decoration, knocking down walls and changing furniture on a regular basis, keeping her entertained and her family exhausted. In 1980 Brenda earned her London Black Taxi Badge, one of her proudest achievements. Although she was not the first female to be a London Cab Driver, she was the first owner of a Black Cab. This seminal event prompted Lloyds of London to rewrite their insurance rules, paving the way for other women to follow in her footsteps.

Brenda and Denis became the licensees of The Crown public house in Newgate Street Village, Hertfordshire. They divorced in 1983 and Brenda moved to Dereham, Norfolk, where she met Jerry Smith, her future husband and love of her life. They married in 1985 and subsequently moved to Central Texas, settling in the small town of Thorndale. Over the course of 10yrs they fostered 68 children, often with up to 12 children at a time in their home. Many of those children, now adults, kept in touch with Brenda and called her mum. Brenda's home was a warm, loving, and quite often chaotic place that gave the children a family grounding for their adult life.

Jerry and Brenda finally retired and moved to Southern California in 2000, where they spent 16 happy years. After Jerry's passing, Brenda moved back to Georgetown, Texas, and, more recently to Horseshoe Bay, Texas, in order to be closer to her eldest daughter Diane. She loved her new home and had made fast friends with her neighbors, enjoying afternoon teas and long chats. She spent hours watching the birds in her yard, planning her garden, and of course rearranging her furniture. Brenda and Diane were able to meet during the week for lunch and shopping, and had plans to explore different towns and nurseries close to them.

Brenda passed peacefully on Tuesday August 23rd, 2022 at the age of 80. Her daughters Diane, Monica, and Mary, as well as granddaughter Alexus were with her in her final moments.

Brenda will be profoundly missed. She lived a purposeful life, positively impacting the futures of others, especially the many dozens of foster children to whom she gave her heart, and who were given a better chance with their lives by her care and love. She was fortunate to have known the true love of her husband Jerry, with whom she will share her final resting place. Brenda's ashes have been placed next to his at Miramar National Cemetery, California. May they both rest in peace.