Brenda
56 Countries and All 7 Continents
Stop and Smell the Flowers
Brenda was truly a person who loved the outdoors. She often spent peaceful hours walking slowly through the Smokies with her husband, admiring the plants and flowers along the way. She loved nature, travel, and exploration, and together she and her husband visited 56 countries and all seven continents during their life together.
Brenda and her husband, Gray, met in the first grade and were lifelong friends long before they married in 1969. Brenda had a deep desire to see the world and learn from the people and experiences it had to offer, from a walking safari in Africa to climbing a snow-covered mountain in Antarctica. Though she was afraid of flying, she still logged more than one million flight miles in her lifetime.
After their children were grown, Brenda and Gray continued their adventures with even greater freedom. When they eventually returned to East Tennessee after a career filled with moves, they began to appreciate their “backyard” in a new way. The Smoky Mountains became their new place of wonder. They began day hiking in the park and eventually reached the 500-mile mark, earning a certificate and pin from the national park, in recognition of that accomplishment. Their next goal was the 1,000-mile mark which they soon accomplished.
As Brenda’s health began to decline, she hoped to find the elusive “1,000 Miles Walked in the Park” pin. So many of her achievements were remarkable, and this one deserved to be recognized too.
YOLO was asked to help, and with support from the 900 Miler Club, we were able to make her last wish come true by securing official recognition of her 1,000 miles hiked in the Smoky Mountains.
Sadly, the day after the award was presented, Brenda passed away.
Brenda and her husband, Gray, met in the first grade and were lifelong friends long before they married in 1969. Brenda had a deep desire to see the world and learn from the people and experiences it had to offer, from a walking safari in Africa to climbing a snow-covered mountain in Antarctica. Though she was afraid of flying, she still logged more than one million flight miles in her lifetime.
After their children were grown, Brenda and Gray continued their adventures with even greater freedom. When they eventually returned to East Tennessee after a career filled with moves, they began to appreciate their “backyard” in a new way. The Smoky Mountains became their new place of wonder. They began day hiking in the park and eventually reached the 500-mile mark, earning a certificate and pin from the national park, in recognition of that accomplishment. Their next goal was the 1,000-mile mark which they soon accomplished.
As Brenda’s health began to decline, she hoped to find the elusive “1,000 Miles Walked in the Park” pin. So many of her achievements were remarkable, and this one deserved to be recognized too.
YOLO was asked to help, and with support from the 900 Miler Club, we were able to make her last wish come true by securing official recognition of her 1,000 miles hiked in the Smoky Mountains.
Sadly, the day after the award was presented, Brenda passed away.
