Brenda Vance Gordon

Brenda Sue Vance Gordon of Winston Salem passed away on October 2, 2024, surrounded by family. Brenda was born on March 25, 1948, in Walkertown where she grew up. She was the eldest child of Wayne Martin Vance and Sarah Ruth West Vance. She graduated from East Forsyth High School, and attended college at High Point University. She started her career at Dunn & Bradstreet, then worked for the Forsyth County Tax office, and then at RJ Reynolds Tobacco until she retired. For many years, until her health declined, Brenda and Jerry were both proud volunteers for Santa’s Helper with Wake Forest, wrapping and transporting gifts for children in need. They also set up a scholarship at UNC Greensboro in their daughters’ names, because they believed in education and giving to those in need. She was a member of both Morris Chapel and Pisgah United Methodist Churches throughout her life.

She married the love of her life, Jerry Dean Gordon, on March 5th, 1966, and their love, strong until the end, will forever be a shining example to their two children- Molly Gordon Powell and husband Harry “Chip” Powell; and Emily Gordon and husband Kumail Nanjiani. She is additionally survived by her sister, Sonya Vance Long and husband David Long; and brothers-in-law Bill Gordon (wife Pat Gordon) and David Gordon. Beyond that, she is survived by her niece Elizabeth Long and many wonderful cousins and friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her niece Leslie Gordon, as well as the other family and friends we have lost.

But these are all just facts- none of this quite captures who Brenda was. Brenda was full of life and energy. She loved her friends. She loved going out to eat, and insisted her family drive long distances to try cuisines from all over the world. (Thai was her favorite.) She loved jewelry. She loved laughing, and her sense of humor was with her until the end. She loved art, and was a fantastic painter and sculptress. She would frequently come home from craft fairs with an art piece made out of silverware, as well as the entire life story of the artist- she truly never met a stranger. She loved buying presents for her friends and family. She loved plants and animals…unless they were eating her plants. She loved music, and even as her health was waning, playing oldies would get her dancing. She would pay for strangers’ meals if they seemed like they needed it. She was very proud of her children and was known to break out a photo album from her purse to show them off. She found beauty and grace in small details that you or I might miss.

So today, in her honor, look for the beauty and grace in the small details. Listen to some music that makes you feel alive. Buy some flowers, or if you’re as green thumbed as Brenda was, plant something for her. It’s just a shame she isn’t around to advise you how to take care of it.

A graveside service celebrating Brenda’s life will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, October 7, 2024, at Morris Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:30 pm until 1:30pm following the service in the church sanctuary. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Hilarity for Charity- Bringing Light to Alzheimer’s at HFC, c/o OLC, LLP, 9301 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 516, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 or at the link below. 

Hayworth-Miller Kernersville Chapel is serving the Gordon family.