Brenda Joyce Jones was born November 22, 1956 in Cincinnati, Ohio to proud parents Helen Jones and George Gentry. She was a delightful child, inquisitive and loving, always one to befriend and help others in need. In her early years, Brenda was raised by her mother in the Evanston and Walnut Hills neighborhoods of Cincinnati, and attended Douglas Elementary and Sawyer Junior High School. During her seventh grade year, The Jones Family was blessed to relocate to the newly renovated Warwick Apartments in Avondale, where she attended Samuel Ach Junior High School. It was there that she met her God Sister Jeanna (Ms. J.J.), and became the third and "oldest daughter" of the Johnson Family, which included another God Sister, Janice, and God Brothers: Harold, Clifford and one of the apples of her eye—Vernon Jai. When only 15 years old, Brenda and her first love, Charles Nathaniel Johnson, Sr., welcomed their first born Denesia Joyce Jones (Niecy). Brenda embraced motherhood with love and conviction. Her desire was always to demonstrate-by-example to Niecy: determination, "woman-strength", family responsibility and faith in God. Brenda was baptized in her early teens at Southern Baptist Church. She sang in the Inspirational Choir and was active with the church's youth leadership programs. At 15, she joined the Cincinnati Youth Choral Ensemble, which later became the James McCray Choral Ensemble (JMCE). After graduating Withrow High School in 1975, she attended University of Cincinnati. On May 9, 1977, Brenda married Charles "Tiger" Lockett, Sr. and relocated to Ft. Sill Army Base in Comanche County, Oklahoma. Later, they moved to New York City, settling in Harlem. This union was blessed with the births of: Hakeem, Madell, and Donta. Though they separated, Brenda and Tiger remained friends. Brenda worked tirelessly to support her children, attend to their educational needs and ensure that she took them to church. Later, she welcomed into the world, Kaleena, Davon, James Marcus and Brandon. Seeking a better life for her children, Brenda moved to the Bronx. Yet, she had a burning desire to return home to Cincinnati. After her first battle with breast cancer, she decided she was, indeed, "Cincinnati-bound" and returned with her three youngest and was welcomed with open arms by her God Siblings, Niecy and her husband Bill, and their two children Shemuel and NechemYah and son, Madell. She was quite joyful to be back in Cincy. She loved going to concerts on Fountain Square, shopping at Findlay Market and, spending fun times with her family and friends. She attended Word of Life Ministry in Mt. Healthy for 2 years, where she assisted with young children and helped with the group, "School of Holy Spirit." She was a good sister and very serious about her mission to serve God. She loved making jewelry, cooking and sewing, dancing and nestling down with a good book. Brenda departed this life on Monday, July 28, 2014 surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her parents and God Brother Cliff. She is survived by: her daughter Denesia "Niecy" Woods (William) of Forest Park, Ohio; Hakeem Malek Lockett, Madell Charles Lockett, James Marcus Jones, and Brandon George of Cincinnati, Ohio; Donta Kareem Lockett, Kaleena Jones and Davon Robert Jones of New York City; God Siblings all of Cincinnati, and a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

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