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Brenda Sue Parrish Atkinson

This is my sister Brenda Sue Parrish born March 16, 1951 in Hickman County, Tennessee. Brenda was the baby for almost five years and I don't think she was a happy camper when a crying brat arrived taking her baby spot:)

Mom always told stories about Brenda hating to wear shoes and she would run out in the snow barefooted. Brenda was very quiet most of the time and stayed to herself a lot. But sometimes they would build a playhouse in the pine thicket under the hill. I remember one time we were playing there and a storm came. When it began to darken they grabbed me up and ran. By the time we reached the fence beside the house it was pouring rain and lightening. Brenda climbed over the fence and Bonnie held me over the fence and said, "Here take it." They almost dropped me laughing.

Brenda never realized how beautiful and important she was. I always admired her and Bonnie. When Brenda became a teenager she would roll my hair at night. Then in the morning she would take the time to fix my hair in the latest style. On Saturdays Bonnie and Brenda would watch "American Bandstand" and hold me on their feet while they danced.

One Saturday when Brenda was about sixteen we were in the living room playing around. She had her fist made and would pretend to punch me and I would stumble back. After a few times I leaned forward to far just as she pretended to hit me. Well that one ended up being the real thing. It knocked my lights out for a few seconds and when I came around Daddy was yelling at Brenda asking her if she was trying to kill me. Poor Brenda looked scared to death and I told Daddy it was both of us not just her...she didn't mean to. Then we went in the bedroom and discovered I had the imprint of her ring in between my eyes.

A few days before I was to enter the ninth grade Brenda decided she wanted to trim my hair. I was reluctant and told her Mom & Daddy told me they better not catch me with scissors in my hair. But Sis was convincing. She said she was just going to trim the ends and our parents would never notice. Well as Mom and Dad sat on the front porch with their morning coffee, Brenda began her task. She would cut on one side and then cut on the other. She would step back and observe the situation then she would cut some more. Well my head began to feel very light and I began trying to get to the mirror. Brenda was saying, "No! Not yet, I'm not finished!"

Well Mom had gone to the kitchen for more coffee and heard us. Mom jerked the door open, Brenda threw a robe over my head and shoved me behind the door. It did no good because Mom wanted to know what was going on. Mom jerked the robe off my head and began screaming, "Raymond come look what these girls have done!"

Oh my! I haven't seen the damage yet but I know we are in trouble. Well Daddy came through and shook his head then walked away. Mom however wasn't finished. She informed me I would just go to school that way. When I finally looked in the mirror, my hair was very short and very uneven. Brenda begged Mom to let her take me and get it straightened but that was my punishment.

Brenda waited about a week and ask Mom could we go to town for ice cream. Brenda took me and had my hair straightened.

  

Back standing: Bonnie

Front sitting left: Brenda -  right: Barbara

This is sisters July 4th, 2004, having fun together. As children we were close. You kind of had to be back in those days:) But it gave a bond that can never be forgotten. Then we grew up and became busy with our own lives. We were scattered across Tennessee and didn't think we had time. We spent time together but we thought we were too busy. Now we have lost loved ones and we have begun to see what we shared is more important.

The photo's above were taken just before we learned Brenda had breast cancer. But she didn't let that take away the smiles. She came to stay with me while she was taking chemo and radiation and she kept us laughing.

Brenda decided she wanted to buy a sewing machine and sew quilts while she was going through chemo. Mind you neither of us knew a thing about making quilts. But we put our memories of Grandma Howell making quilts together and figured it out. Brenda donates quilts for Breast Cancer fund raisers. She makes some beautiful quilts.

We didn't mean to make Sis cry. We surprised her with cake and going bowling. Believe me the tears stopped and the laughter began at the bowling ally. I laughed until I hurt. Brenda loves bowling and we have a great time.

Brenda was at my house this year on Mother's Day. Cassie had told her the night before she planned to fix me a surprise breakfast. Cassie also ask Brenda to drive her to buy me a gift. Well Brenda and I thought we would get to sleep late on Sunday. Bright and early Brenda heard Cassie coming through with a T.V. tray. Brenda thought , "Oh I will just go back to sleep." Well Cassie came through and sat a tray up for each of us by the bed. She brought us breakfast and sat our gifts by our food. The above photo was made a few minutes after our eyes opened.

Sis, I treasure every moment we have spent together and I miss you greatly when we are apart. Our beautiful memories will remain in my heart forever!

Click the "Next" button and meet Brenda's husband and family!

bjrodgerz@charter.net