"I am heartbroken. Brenda was my aunt, friend and sometimes my partner in crime. When we were together, we could play off each other like an old married couple. Maybe better! Sorry Mitch and Danny, you know it is true! I had the pleasure of being part of the trio mentioned by my sister, Darlene, in reference to the infamous Rudolph story. That was truly the first memory I was going to share myself, when we were young. Instead, I will fast forward to my memories of us working together in banking. She literally showed up at my house on her lunch break, told me to get dressed, to interview for a job opening. Problem was, I had been sunbathing on the back porch. I interviewed with a dress over my bathing suit, smelling like Hawaiian Tropic suntan lotion! I got the job. Going to work everyday with Brenda made everything else ok. We met every morning downstairs in the lunch room with a group of ladies at a large table for coffee and donuts. Boy, did we have fun! It always started our day off with a smile! She was always willing to help me when I needed it. Brenda would be the first to offer help to anyone who needed it. She was always there for her family. She literally was the glue that held the family together, especially in the last few years. She was funny, patient, loving, smart and kind. I have truly been blessed by her presence in my life. I will miss her everyday. Rest in Peace, Aunt Kay. Oh, and save me a place at the table. Love you. "
In loving memory of
Brenda Kay Colwell-Adrian
March 17, 1948 - October 13, 2020
Brenda Kay Colwell Adrian left this Earth in the early morning hours of October 13, 2020, to begin her journey into the heavenly realms of her God, and accompanied by her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Brenda was born to parents, Carmen, and Amon Heflin, on March 17, 1948. Her mother chose Brenda's first name after deciding that she really liked the name of a popular comic character of the day, 'Brenda Starr'. There was no 'Starr' attached to Brenda's name, but all who knew and loved her would be in agreement that she was, indeed, a star of the first magnitude in their lives. She was a funny, smart, devoted, and loving wife, mother, sister, and friend. She will be greatly missed.
Brenda is survived by her husband and partner, Danny Adrian, along with her two sons, Alan Colwell and Brian Colwell, Brian's partner, Belinda (Belle) Casiano, and grandchildren, Astrid 5, Sonny 3, and Esme 3 months old. She also leaves behind her sisters, Betty MacFarland and Bobbie Wofford, and brother, Harvey Heflin. In addition, 'Aunt Kay' will be fondly remembered by her seven nieces, Darlene MacFarland, Sheree Motley, Janice Gonzalez, Patty Koonce, Terri Story, Rita Smith, and Ronda Burt.
Visitation will be held for family members on Monday, October 19, 2020, from 4PM to 5 PM. Visitation will be held for the public on Monday, October 19, 2020, from 6PM to 8PM.
A Memorial will be scheduled later, to be held at Wimberley Church of Christ.
Tributes
"Some of my earliest memories are about attending the Church of Christ in Refugio. Brenda and her Mother would attend regular as my family did. No matter what sort of mischief I got in to, Brenda was one of the few that always had a smile for my impish behavior. I will miss seeing and visiting with her at the class reunions."
"Brenda was my aunt, but more like my big sister. She was not yet 5 years old when I was born, so she grew up with me, and my sister, Sheree. I remember one Christmas Eve when the three of us, excited about the arrival of ?Santa?, slept in the same big bed together at my parent?s house. Brenda was probably 11 or 12 at the time, and we laughed and giggled for much of the night, with Brenda punctuating our banter with an ongoing gag about ?Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?, that centered around Rudolph having ?a hole in his sneaker?. In my early 20?s I moved to Austin, and Brenda and Sonny became my closest friends. Brenda and I spent many ?happy-hours? that were true happy hours spent chatting and being there for one another at Chelsea Street Pub. She was always there for me, a great listener/advisor, and she never once slid into judgmental behavior with me, or anything that I said or did. The trust that we both developed for each other was more than remarkable---and valued highly by both of us. One of the things that Brenda and I also did together was see a lot of movies---for free! For a while, Sonny worked in the evenings as a projectionist at a local theater, so Brenda and I took full advantage of this perk, as well as free sodas and popcorn, and went out to see a movie about once a week. I remember that when ?The Omen? came out, Brenda and I couldn?t wait to see it. So one night we went out, and watched ?The Omen?, in the dark theater--- terrified! If you were raised in a fundamentalist faith, as we were, a movie about the rise of The Anti-Christ was nothing to sneeze at. We walked back to the car after the movie, once again in the dark, looked around nervously, then thought better of it and ran as quickly as we could back to the car! Of course, we couldn?t just go home, being so fearful and all, plus we felt the need to discuss the movie. So, we headed over to Chelsea Street Pub, where the Margaritas gave us some perspective and, uh, courage. Marriage, kids, divorces, moves, and life, in general, intervened. Brenda and I no longer were as close as when we were younger. But the love remained, and I feel very privileged to have known her and to have had her in my life. What a blessing she was! "
"When I moved to TX and started work at BOA, Brenda took me in and immediately treated me like family. She met each of us with kind words and her warm smile. Between the staff and customers, it would be impossible to count the number of lives that Brenda touched. She will be missed. "
"A star angel shining in heaven looking down upon us. Condolences and many prayers to the family."