Brenda Kay Barnell, our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully Sunday morning, the 23rd of March 2025, from her battle with cancer. She was 63 years old.  Brenda was born on the 6th of August 1961, to Henry Christopher Bernick and Ethel Loise Bernick in Falls Church, Virginia. As the youngest of three, just before her teenage years, she settled in Clear Lake, Texas after having spent most of her youth moving around the United States with her brother Frank and sister Deborah.

Brenda graduated from Clear Lake High School. During her freshman year, she met the love of her life, Vincent Barnell. After being high school sweethearts, Brenda and Vince married in 1981 and were happily married for 43 years while residing in the Houston area.

Brenda worked for Great Southern, a private holding company, while her husband, Vince, started his career in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. After the birth of their son, Christopher Wayne, Brenda wanted to be a stay-at-home mother for her son. Years later, they relocated to a small town she adored. None other than Friendswood, Texas which they have lovingly called home since 1993.

As a housewife, Brenda steadily delivered a loving and stable home for C.W. and Vince. Brenda took pride in her skills in the kitchen where she was a wonderful cook for her family. She frequently enjoyed walks and bike rides with her neighbors and friends, often pausing to discuss happenings within the community, such as the local city crime reports.

Brenda took an interest in the criminal justice system and decided to pursue a degree online and even took classes at the local college. Brenda’s legal studies turned her closer to the Bible and its teachings. Raised Catholic, she devoted her time reading the Bible and was always striving to unlock the deeper meanings of its scriptures.

Her finest moments were being called Grandma. Brenda’s grandchildren, David and Avery, were the light of her life. She treasured every moment spent with them, whether it was sharing laughter and hugs or dancing in the rain. Those three loved the rain together! Brenda and her grandchildren loved playing sports such as soccer, basketball, and baseball. All things she did as a young girl.

Brenda is survived by her husband, Vince Barnell, her son and daughter-in-law, C.W. and Stephanie Barnell, and her beloved grandchildren, David and Avery.

Upon her wishes, a private celebration of life will take place. At a later date, the family will gather for a private ceremony to spread her ashes. We hope that her memory will provide comfort and strength to those who mourn her passing.

The family requests, in lieu of customary remembrances, to always remember her favorite Bible verse: “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” (1 Peter 3:8).

Close family members feel Brenda took this scripture to heart and applied it in her daily life. Upon learning of her death, her son said, “If Brenda was standing behind you, you would effortlessly become a better person. She was never in the spotlight because she was the one shining light upon you.”

In closing, her favorite time of the year was early spring. Brenda loved when the monarch butterfly and the red cardinal would roam Southeast Texas, as this brought memories of her mother and father. May these two beautiful things reunite everyone in due time.