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Brenda Elizabeth (Joy) Poplar
December 17, 1960 ~ September 3, 2020 (age 59)
Brenda Elizabeth (Joy) Poplar entered into this life on December 17, 1960, the fifth of thirteen children born to the late Mr. Eugene Joy, Sr. and Mrs. Earline (Horton) Joy in Bolivar, Tennessee.
Her Graveside service was held on Friday September 11, 2020 at 11:00 am at Mt. Zion Cemetery with Pastor Terry Lenn Poplar in charge and Dixie Funeral Home (www.dixiefuneralhome.com) was in charge of the professional service.
She was joined in holy matrimony with Mr. Terry Lenn Poplar on December 31, 2013, the senior pastor of Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, as her vows stated – until death do us part. She departed this life on September 3, 2020 and went home to be with our Heavenly Father at 5:30 pm after a brief illness. She fought a good fight until the Lord said “the fight is over my daughter, it’s time for you to come on home where I’ll give you rest and peace forever and ever.”
Brenda accepted Christ during her early teenage years under the leadership of Bishop Eugene Williams at Campbell Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Bolivar, Tennessee. She was a strong Christian woman who was a faithful servant and First Lady at her husband’s church, Ebenezer Baptist Church in Toone, Tennessee. She walked by faith and displayed her relationship with Christ until her health failed her, then she peacefully went on to her new home.
Brenda attended Bolivar Central High School in Hardeman County where she played on the basketball team as a Mighty, Mighty Tiger with a special group of ladies under the leadership of Coach Marvin Williams. These ladies won back-to-back Division AA state championships in 1977 and moved up to Division AAA in 1978 in the state tournaments in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The entire city of Bolivar was so proud to be champions. In 1979, Brenda graduated from Bolivar Central High School and joined the United States Army.
In 1999, after 20 years of service, SFC Brenda Joy-Jones retired from the U.S. Army. Her military tours of duty are as follows: Fort Hood, Killeen, Texas; U.S Army Garrison, Stuttgart, Germany,
(where her son was born); Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C.; Camp Carroll, South Korea; Fort George G. Meade, Meade, Maryland; and Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas. She retired with great pride knowing that she had served her country requesting for her ceremony to be held at Fort Campbell in Clarksville, Tennessee, so that her immediate family could attend to witness this special occasion. During her military career, Brenda was provided with opportunities to travel many places throughout the world which she really enjoyed. After retirement, she went to work for FEMA for 15 years and was part of the recovery unit during, “The September 11 Terrorist” attacks after being diagnosed with breast cancer she retired from FEMA, however she was a survival. She also assisted with Hurricane Katrina as well as other natural disasters during her employment. Brenda and her husband often traveled together around the world as a means of escape to refresh and recharge.
Brenda was often asked what she appreciated most in life and her reply would always be the same, “I like any and everything as long as it’s pretty”. She simply loved life beginning with her husband, son, family, friends, fabulous Christmas trees - all the way down to her fancy pajamas. If you bumped into her during her visits in and around the county, she was always presentable and pleasant. She always remembered your birthday, anniversary, doctor’s appointment because it was very important to her…ding, ding here comes a text from her with the salutation greeting wishing you the best.
The void that Brenda leaves behind is steep as well as deep. These are the loved ones she joins who preceded her in death:
Her Beloved father, Mr. Eugene Joy, Sr.; two unforgettable brothers, Mr. Douglas Edward and Mr. Eddie Lee Joy; a loving bonus sister, Mrs. Shirley Harvey; two paternal grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Uyllus & Vaserine (Sain) Horton; Mr. George Hunt & Mrs. Mary (Richardson) Gordon; a very special uncle, Mr. Lawyer Horton; Mr. Earl Gordon, Jr.; and very special aunt Mrs. Jerline Dudley and Mrs. Emma Lou Joy.
Brenda leaves to cherish her precious memories those who cared deeply and loved her unconditionally:
Her Loving Husband & Pastor Mr. Terry Lenn Poplar; Her Son, “The Heartbeat of Her Life”, Mr. Mario Craig Jones, Jr.; two bonus children, Mr. Terris & (Lisa) Poplar of Memphis, TN; and Mrs. Sabrina & (Shawn) Ward of Dallas, TX; one granddaughter Ahja’khamel of Denver, CO; six bonus grandchildren, Brianna, Aamaya, Layla & Tristan Poplar, all of Memphis, TN; Nyah and Madison Ward both of Dallas, TX; Her Dearest Beloved Mother, Mrs. Earline Joy, of Bolivar, TN; five brothers: Mr. Eugene Joy, Jr., of Bolivar, TN; Mr. Randy & (Shirley) Joy, of Jackson, TN; SFC Tracy & (Esther) Joy of Ludowici, GA; Mr. Bruce & (Demetrice) Joy of Memphis, TN and Mr. Darrell Lamont Joy of Suitland, MD; five sisters: Mrs. Betty & (Anthony) Powers of Memphis, TN; Mrs. Bunnia Faye & (Rickey) Odom of Bolivar, TN; Mrs. Sandra & (Michael) Fanning and Ms. Carolyn Joy both of Nashville, TN and Ms. Sheila Joy of Bolivar, TN and two additional sisters, Mrs. Christine White of Detroit, MI and Mrs. Pamela Johnson of Atlanta, GA; a close relationship with over thirty nephews and nieces, aunts, uncles and six brother-in laws; Mr. Robert D., Mr. Lee & Virginia, Robert James & Fissle, Mr. Steven Wayne & Tosha, Mr. Gary & Miller Poplar, Mr. Rodney Richardson and seven sister-in laws; Mrs. Dorothy & Todd Herbert, Ms. Mary Buggs, Mrs. Landia & Frederick Douglas, Mrs. Carlion & Calos Martin, Mrs. Genniver & Lonenz Mason, Mrs. Gerture & Mervin Mason, Mrs. Gertha & John Sain. She had a long-lasting friendship and special bond with Mrs. Ruby Harvey, her military forever friends; SFC Dionne Hebert (retired), SGT Chris Scott (retired), SFC Tamla Harris (retired), SFC Robin Stone (retired), CSM Paul Cousin (retired) and SMG Robert Adams (retired).
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