Brenda Gooden

Brenda Sue Gooden entered her eternal home on March 3, 2021 at the age of 69 years 6 months 7 days.  A private family memorial will be held at a later date, entrusted to the care of Wadley’s Funeral Service.

Brenda was born August 27, 1951 in Holdenville, Oklahoma to William Turner and Burnes Bell (Elliott) Parker.  She was beautiful with amazing sparkling green eyes and a huge loving heart.  Brenda’s life was full and well lived, and her spirit lives on among her children and grandchildren, even now, her daughters like to think of it as her cute stubbornness.  The family learned many valuable lessons from Brenda, and she had this ability to do it Brenda’s way.  Brenda knew a little bit about everything, even if it didn’t make any sense, and be assured the answers she would give you, you can not find on Goggle.  She cooked the best fried chicken ever, and her life was filled with love and great accomplishments.  All her children and grandchildren love the Lord, and that is a beautiful testament of Brenda’s life.  The foundation of the family is in Christ, and for that they are all eternally grateful to Brenda.  Brenda showed the true meaning of love, by how she always loved through the good and bad.  She gave her family the mercy to fail and still know they were loved, and also taught them all what it meant to be family.  She was kind, grateful, and giving, had great work ethic, and believed in helping anyone who needed it.  If you knew one thing about Brenda, it was that she loved her children, and in her eyes, are the greatest.  She loved to tell stories of them, and embellished or not, it was how she saw them.  She was funny and honest, and was very much like her own mother, who Brenda missed everyday since she passed.  It’s hard to sum up a life, but if Brenda’s had to be summed up it would be, she taught her family to be people of character, love with all their heart, serve each other, and most of all, know all things are possible through Christ.

Brenda is preceded in death by her parents; her son, Brandon Gooden; and her brother, Benny Arnold.  She is survived by her daughters, Tonya Rivera and husband, Miguel, Tisha Morrow and husband, Tad; grandchildren, Reyna Rivera, Josh Morrow, Luke Morrow, Alex Morrison, Nora Brenna Morrow, Chelsea Gooden; her brother, Billy Joe Parker; her sister, Debbie Hanes and husband, Roger; her sister in law, Nelda Arnold; and many other relatives and friends.

The passing of her son, Brandon, was the hardest thing that happened to Brenda, but to know that he was there to welcome her home with his big beautiful smile and his strong arms open wide, comforts her kids.  Her feisty mother is standing right beside them, waiting her turn to hug.  They are celebrating with the Lord, no longer suffering and in great peace.   We will see you again, Mom.  You are deeply loved, and we will miss you everyday, until we see you again.  We adore you and thank you for being second to none.