Brenda Goldsmith

On Sunday evening, October 6, 2024, the bell tolled once again, and Brenda Joyce Goldsmith, our beloved mother, passed away at her residence in Daleville, AL, at the age of 80.  

As WWII was raging in Europe, Jerry and Mary Elizabeth Lane were preparing for the birth of their first and only child. Born in Durham, North Carolina, on Friday, April 28, 1944, Brenda’s arrival brought great joy to the Lane household.  Her formative years were spent in Durham, and at the age of eight, the family migrated to Brooklyn, NY, in search of better opportunities for themselves and for their beloved daughter.  As Brenda was matriculating in Girls High School, her mother was busy getting her nursing degree; this would foster in Brenda an appreciation of a good education.  Brenda graduated high school in 1962, and on June 23, 1963, after a year of long-distance dating, she married her high school sweetheart, Stafford Goldsmith, also in Brooklyn.  The two had met while attending their high school prom.  Stafford was a young soldier, and soon their family began to grow. Their union was blessed with four sons – Stafford Jr., James, Michael, and Derek.  Brenda relished in being the only female in her home and often spoke of how blessed she was to have such loving sons.

As the spouse of a military member, Brenda led her young family while her husband completed two tours in Vietnam.  It was during this time while living in Philadelphia among Stafford’s family and having to single-handedly raise her young sons that she became a force with whom to be reckoned.  She was given the nickname of “Hurricane Brenda,” still all who knew her well came to recognize that she was strong yet gentle.  Following her husband’s return from Vietnam, the family progressed forward completing multiple assignments in the U.S. and overseas in Europe and Korea.  The family completed their final overseas tour in Mainz, West Germany, before being reassigned to Ft. Rucker, AL, in 1974.  Consequently, Brenda became the quintessential “Southern Belle.”          

In 1975, Brenda started working at the Post Exchange on Fort Rucker. During her 29 years of dedicated service there, she held several positions and roles of increasing responsibilities, finally retiring in 2004.   Still, she found the time to be actively involved in her community.  For many years, she served as team mother for various sports teams, elder for several youth support organizations, organizing and participating in charity events, and many other activities.  Her love of family enabled her and Stafford to assume the responsibility of raising a second generation of Goldsmiths: granddaughter, Sheritta, and grandson, Marquese. Brenda doted over them as she once again took on the tasks of cheerleader, dance line, and football team mom.  Her deep concern and love of family were instrumental in the relocation of her parents to Daleville.

Brenda connected to Daleville Christian Fellowship Worship Center, and it became apparent that her commitment to Christ, her Savior, was just as strong as her commitment to family and community.  She nurtured and encouraged many of the youth of the church, and was appointed by Pastor McComb as a member of the church’s Mothers’ Ministry in addition to singing in the Ever Ready Choir.  She faithfully served her Lord whenever and wherever she was asked until her health began to fail.                 

Preceding her in death were her loving husband, Stafford Goldsmith; her father, Jerry Lane; and her mother, Mary Elizabeth Lane.

Brenda is lovingly remembered and survived by her son Stafford R. Goldsmith Jr (Eric) of Lutz, FL; her son, James O. Goldsmith of Austin, TX; her son, Michael O. Goldsmith of Martinsburg, West Virginia; her son, Derek Goldsmith of Enterprise, AL; her granddaughter, Sheritta Lorick of Dothan, AL; her grandson, Marquese (Maria) Goldsmith of Amelia, VA; her grandson, Hassan Turner of Enterprise, AL; her granddaughter, Mila Goldsmith; her grandson, Josh Emens of Lutz, FL; her great-granddaughter, Na’kieya Lorick of Dothan, AL; her great-grandson, Navier Lorick of Dothan, AL; her great-grandson, Jacquey Bynum of Enterprise, AL; her great grandson, Keavon Occius of Enterprise, AL; her great grandson, Sadarion Occius of Enterprise, AL; her great granddaughter, Arnae’ Turner of Enterprise, AL; her great granddaughter, Ka’Mya Turner of Enterprise, AL; her great-granddaughter, Kristianaya Marie Goldsmith; and her step father, Alvin Carroway of Daleville, AL.

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