Brenda Humphreys Burns, a beacon of love and joy to her many family and friends, passed into the light on August 14, 2022.
Brenda was born May 31, 1942, in Prince Frederick, Maryland, to H. Vivian and Ida Lois (Bowen) Humphreys. After Ida Lois passed away in 1947, Brenda was raised for a time on Wagon Wheel Farm by her grandparents, J. Lloyd and H. Elizabeth Bowen, with the support of her aunts and uncle, Nina, Celeste, and Lloyd Jr. When her father remarried she found a loving second mother in Edith Humphreys.
Her fond childhood memories centered on the Farm, whether exploring the woods with Lassie, tagging along with Pop-Pop to blow up stumps, or partaking of Mom-Mom’s mastery of the farm kitchen. She was 18 on a double date when she met the love of her life, Richard Michael (Mike) Burns, then a sailor telling what her family suspected were tall tales of a life abroad (they were true). He may not have had a car, and she may have had to drop him off at the county line to hitchhike back to base, but Brenda and Mike fell head over heels into a quick engagement and began their 58-year marriage on October 14, 1961.
Together they raised a family in Maryland, Florida, and Maryland again, ultimately returning to the Farm home she so loved. Brenda was a wonderful mom to Robert, Susan, and Mark. She enriched the lives of her children and their families with her love, joy, positivity, warmth, and generosity. She opened her door to all, including the close family of friends she grew along the way.
Brenda’s giving nature extended to her community. Among her many contributions, she served as a Project ECHO volunteer, 4-H All Star, board member of the Calvert County Chamber of Commerce, Literacy Council tutor, and Cub Scouts mom. She was a charter member of the local Business and Professional Women chapter and Calvert Alliance Against Substance Abuse. A woman of deep faith, she was an active member of her church as lay leader and youth group leader.
Brenda worked as a bank teller, co-led the family excavation business, and built a long career at the U.S. Postal Service as a clerk who thoroughly enjoyed serving people. She would meet many new friends and occasional new cousins over the post office counter.
Brenda is dearly loved and sorely missed. She is reunited with her soul mate, R. Michael Burns, who passed in 2019. She is survived by son Robert Burns (Rose); daughter Susan Blackwell (Curtis); son Mark Burns (Becca); grandchildren Mike Burns, Emily Burns Gil (Dioni), Lauren Burnett (Justin), Mary Burns, Carolyn Blackwell, Grayson Burns, Lucy Burns, and Norah Burns; great-grandchildren Dioscar, Adelyn, and Lucas; siblings Harold Humphreys, Joan Humphreys, and Ann Humphreys; sister by marriage Sandy Van Dyke; and nephews and nieces Austin Crum, Tess Butner, Jay Heth, Patty Phillips, and Robert Van Dyke.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at 11:00 am at Waters Memorial United Methodist Church, 5400 Mackall Rd., St. Leonard, MD 20685. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made to Project ECHO homeless shelter (projectecho.net) or Waters Memorial UMC.