Brenda M. Douglass was the widow of Rev. Carl H. Douglass
Lillian Brenda Mosier Douglass, 85, passed away on Friday, May 2, 2025 in Florence, SC surrounded by her loving children.
Born in Sumter, SC, she was a daughter of the late Eugene Tarleton Mosier, Sr. and Beulah Way Mosier Avinger of Sumter, SC. Brenda was the heart and soul of the family. With a servant’s heart, she consistently put the needs of others before her own. She was a devoted daughter, a loving sister, a faithful wife, and a nurturing mother and grandmother. Her gentle kindness and quiet strength made a lasting impression on everyone who knew her.
After attending Edmunds High School, she dedicated the next several decades to her children and family in Sumter and Florence, South Carolina. She possessed the true gift of hospitality, never meeting a stranger, always offering a warm welcome, a comforting place to land, and a seat at her table. Known for her tireless work ethic and generous spirit, she never had idle hands and was always providing for her loved ones. She held various roles in bookkeeping, retail, and the textile industry, and she served as a beloved manager of Belk department store in Sumter, SC.
Later in life, Brenda moved to Virginia and married her love, Reverend Carl H. Douglass, Jr. As a minister’s wife, she embraced her true calling, ministering to others with quiet devotion and grace, living as a “good and faithful servant.” Together they served churches and communities in Madison Heights, Bedford and Huddleston, Va areas-finding a special spiritual home at Patmos United Methodist Church in Huddleston, VA upon retirement. She deeply cherished the life they built on Smith Mountain Lake, which became the gathering place for blended family and friends- a place she would forever call Home. In her final years, she returned to her South Carolina roots, continuing to make treasured memories with her family.
Brenda was a creative gardener who nurtured beauty in everything she touched. She had a deep love of animals- big and small- with a special affection for birds. A master of Southern cooking, Brenda brought people together with warmth and flavor. She was an avid reader, quick to share a book with a friend, and a skilled fisherman who felt just at home with a fly rod as she did with a trusty cane pole. She took great pride in renovating and restoring her home and furniture. Her deep appreciation for music knew no bounds, from traditional hymns and beach tunes to her grandchildren’s live performances. She would often be found clapping and dancing along with every joyful note.
Known affectionately as Mama, Grandma, Mema, and Meme by the many she lovingly considered her children, she regarded these relationships as her greatest accomplishment. With intentional love, she built meaningful connections with each child and grandchild, leaving a lasting legacy of unconditional love, grace, forgiveness and service.
Brenda is survived by her four loving children, Michael L. Atkinson and Jacque of Timmonsville, SC, Cynthia A. Hales of Timmonsville, SC, Sonya A. Secor and Dean of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Lynn A. Semones and Steve of Christiansburg, Va; her oldest granddaughter Beth Atkinson-Muldrow and Steven of Manning, SC, her special daughter Roni K. Alwin and Rob of Horseshoe Bend, AR; her blended Douglass family whom she loved dearly, Brent Douglass and Carter of Staunton, Va, John G. Douglass and Cindy of Richmond, Va, Steve G. Douglass and Tammy of Leesburg, Va, David Stafford and Sharon of Raleigh, NC, Andrew Stafford and Nikki of Raleigh, NC; a combined 23 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; her sister Gail Gressette-Jeffcoat and Johnny of Columbia, SC; her brother Rev. Eugene T. Mosier, Jr and Jenny of Manning, SC; her sister-in-law Janet L. Mosier and her sister-in-law Marianne P. Mosier of Navarre, FL; as well as many nieces, nephews and dear friends.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her beloved husband Rev. Carl Henry Douglass, Jr; her first husband and father of her children, Marion Leslie “Buddy” Atkinson; her sister Jean Maye Lane; her brothers Richard Henry Mosier and Herbert Allen Mosier; her special step-daughter Carol Jacoby; and her devoted Chihuahua, Sassy.
The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to Dr. Troy Gamble for his compassion and dedication to Brenda and our entire family; to the dear caregivers Joyce, Brenda, Sara, Bertha and Shanelle for their care and support, who became a part of our family. We are also deeply thankful to the staff of Amedisys Hospice and McLeod Hospice House.
A beautiful Celebration of Life Service will be held in honor of Brenda at Concord Baptist Church in Sumter, SC on Friday, September 5, 2025, at 2:00 pm. The family has chosen to celebrate her life on her earthly birthday, a day that has always been filled with joy, love and treasured memories
Those wishing to make a memorial contribution in Brenda’s memory are asked to consider Patmos United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 55 Huddleston, VA 24104.
(Source: https://www.laytonandersonfh.com/obituary/Brenda-Douglass)