Brenda S. Wilson, age 74, passed away on September 4, 2021, surrounded by her loving husband of more than 52 years, Walter, and her only child, Julie. Brenda was born in Roanoke, VA, on July 23, 1947 to Carolyn (Rose) Simmons and Robert Wesley Simmons. As a young girl Brenda enjoyed singing in the choir at Humphreys Chapel United Methodist Church, minding the General Store with her Grandfather Kenneth Watson Rose, and tending the vegetable garden with her Grandmother Gladys Gwendolyn (Caldwell) Rose in Paint Bank, VA. Brenda grew up in Arbutus, MD, graduating from Catonsville High School where she met her beloved Walter. She competed in the Miss America beauty pageant as Miss Arbutus. Brenda graduated from the John Robert Powers Modeling Academy. Her fashion career consisted of photographic and runway modeling. She attended Strayer Business College, and had a career spanning over 35 years in the medical field.
Brenda and her daughter created a ballroom dance dress company called Encore Ballroom Couture, a ballroom dance dress cleaning company called The Dress Spa, a charity program benefiting Walter Reed National Military Medical Center called Toppers for Troopers, a donation program benefiting a youth dance charity program called Gold Stars, and a seasonal fashion editorial called Hairpins to Hemlines. Their company is home to the Dancing with the Stars Costume Museum featuring original showpieces from the hit ABC show.
She was an avid tennis player and co-captained two USTA tennis teams. Brenda managed a tennis flight at the local athletic club where she was a member for over 30 years. Brenda was a member of the Henry Clay Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and Martha Washington Chapter, of the Order of the Eastern Stars. In addition to her husband and daughter, she leaves behind her Mother and an extended family. She is preceded by her Father, Robert Wesley Simmons.
Visitation took place on Sunday, October 10, from 1 P.M. until 7 P.M., with a 7 P.M. Ceremony featuring the DAR and Eastern Stars. Visitation also took place on Monday, October 11, from 11 A.M. until 2 P.M., with Funeral Service at 2 P.M. All events took place at Annandale United Methodist Church, with Sr. Pastor Charlie Wood officiating, and Reverend Clarence Brown celebrating the sparkling life of Brenda with a moving eulogy. Penelope Gross, Mason District Supervisor, presented a beautiful plaque encouraging a day of remembrance on her birthday, July 23. There was a butterfly and dove release, and the church dedicated the bench on the front porch to Brenda with a photo and plaque. Brenda was laid to rest in a family plot at the Annandale United Methodist Church Cemetery.
