Brenda Clarissie Springs Echols, born on June 5, 1951 to Wilbern Pervie Springs and Lonnie Mazeline Turner Springs, in Catawba, North Carolina, passed away on December 23, 2024, in Saint Petersburg, Florida. She was 73 years old.
Brenda pursued her passion for learning and achieved an Associate’s Degree in Accounting from Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC) and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Pinellas Technical College (PTEC). She also served as a Notary, reflecting her dedication to professionalism and service.
A devout “anointed” Jehovah’s Witness, Brenda was deeply committed to her faith. She communicated fluently in both English and American Sign Language (ASL), which allowed her to connect with a diverse community. She also taught those who were illiterate how to read. Her intellectual curiosity led her to engage in theological research on religions of the world, and she was a profound reader of scriptural texts. As a daughter of a World War II Veteran, Brenda also took great pride in preserving her family’s history as a dedicated genealogist.
Brenda is survived by her spouse of over 50 years, Edward Echols; her daughters, Antoinette Echols along with Antoinette’s partner Lee Ward and Andrea Echols McQueeney; her beloved grandson, Anthony Silos and her cherished granddaughter, Schuyler McQueeney with Schuyler’s fiancé Jakob Lindfors; special mention to her best friend, Bonnie Brooks.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by family she dearly loved: her brother, Nathan Dereco Springs, her sister-in-law Gail L. Rowe Springs, her brother-in-law Ronald J. Echols, her brother Rawland Michael Turner and his wife Carolyn Strong Turner, her brother Gerald Lee Springs, and her niece Amber Deelon Rustin
Those who continue to also cherish her memory are her brothers: (widower) Wilbern Lester Springs, Thaddeus Aaron Springs with wife Beverly Beatty, and Darwin Craig Springs;
her sisters: Valerie D. Springs Rustin and Rachel Kyles with husband Anthony;
her sister in laws: Janie Echols, Margaret (Ronald) Echols, Annette (Gerald) Springs, and Vanessa (Nathan) Springs, along with many other nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends. Her family brought immense joy to her life, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Brenda’s legacy of faith, knowledge, and love will continue to inspire those she touched. May her memory bring comfort to all who mourn her passing.
