Brenda Kay Ward of Plano, Texas passed away on December 9, 2021 at the age of 68. She was born on August 25, 1953 to Bessie Faye Jennings and Jackie Cooper Riggs in Dallas, Texas. Brenda grew up in Irving, Texas and attended Irving High School. Brenda married Allen Dee Ward on June 5, 1975 in Carrolton, Texas. Together they built a legacy founded in Christ. They partnered to build a successful business, a family, and a wonderful life for themselves and their children. Brenda lived her life in ministry to others. She worked in prison ministry, teen ministry, homeless ministry, Sunday school ministry and always with a heart to serve others. Brenda always looked for those in the crowd that went unacknowledged or who had been outcast and she friended them. She reached the unreachable. She quietly led and others followed without hesitation. An abundance of people called her friend, many called her a counselor and best friend, only a few were lucky enough to call her family, 2 were blessed to call her Nan, and 3 were blessed beyond measure to call her mom. She loved her family unconditionally. Her life was lived according to these words, “I will never leave you nor forsake you. Where you walk, I will walk with you. I am always there beside you. Loving and teaching you. Now go and love and teach others in my ways and commands. My ways and thoughts are higher, walk in them. Lift up Jesus.”
Brenda is survived by her children, Joseph Dee Ward and wife Jamie of Little Elm, Texas, Deena Underwood of Murphy, Texas, and Rodney Ward of Richardson, Texas; grandsons Grayson Underwood and Asher Underwood; Brothers, Kenny Riggs and wife Betsy of New Orleans, Louisiana, Tred Riggs of Nacogdoches, Texas, Jackie Riggs and wife April of Denton, Texas; sister, Angela Riggs of Corinth, Texas; Step-Mother, Kay Riggs of Corinth, Texas.
Brenda was preceded in death by her life-long partner, best friend and husband, Allen Dee Ward. Father, Jackie Riggs; Mother, Bessie Phillips; Step-Father, Ray Phillips; Granddaughter, Emeline Faith Ward.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, December 13, 2021 at The Foundry Church, 525 West Avenue A in Garland, Texas. Interment will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen, Texas. The family will receive friends during a visitation on Sunday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North in Allen, Texas.