Brenda J. James, (Parsley-Runyon), 81, of Hamlet, passed away on Sept. 11, 2023.
She was born on Jan. 1, 1942 in Verdunville, West Virginia.
Brenda was preceded in death by her parents, Virgil J. Parsley and Gladys Faye Hinkle-Parsley, of West Virginia; husband, Roger E. James of New Castle, Delaware; infant son, Roy Jr; and baby brother, Virgil Parsley Jr.
A graveside service will be conducted Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, 2 p.m., at Richmond Co. Memorial Park with Pastor Chris Thornton officiating.
She is survived by four daughters, Vickie (Robert) Taylor of Rockcave, West Virginia, Connie (Steve) Grabowski of Townsend, Delaware, Rebecca Runyon of Bear, Delaware, and Joyce Morris of Glenlyn, Virginia; one son, Richard Runyon of Lewes, Delaware.
She is also survived by four brothers, Bobby Parsley of Hamlet, Homer (Nancy) Parsley of Uneeda, West Virginia, Larry (Karla) Parsley of Evansdale, Iowa, and Willard Parsley of Laurel Hill; two sisters, Janet Taylor of Evansdale, Iowa, and Phyllis Bishop of Muscatine, Iowa; 13 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandsons.
Brenda moved to Wilmington, Delaware at a young age, where she married and raised her children. Upon the death of her husband, she moved to Hamlet in 2000.
She spent the last four years on kidney dialysis and enjoyed the many visits of her children and grandchildren and yearly sibling reunions.
She was surrounded by her loving family, in-person and many video chats, at her bedside upon her death. She knew her health was failing and her dying wish was granted, as her last words were, “I’m ready to go.” She will be tremendously missed.
The family will receive friends Friday evening from 5-7 p.m. at Watson-King Funeral Home in Hamlet.
Online condolences may be made at watson-kingfuneralhome.com. Watson-King Funeral Home in Hamlet is serving the James family.
