Brenda Richardson was born on May 29, 1946, in Long Branch, New Jersey, to Leroy Williams and Elsie Williams. She peacefully departed this life on June 4, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and devotion to family.
Brenda was a woman who found joy in life’s simple pleasures. She loved traveling, spending time at the beach, visiting amusement parks, and sharing laughter with family and friends. Throughout her life, she worked various jobs to support and provide for her children, always putting their needs before her own. Later, she retired from working so she could dedicate her time to caring for her beloved grandchildren, whom she adored beyond measure.
Brenda was the proud mother of three children. Jabari and I grew up side by side, sharing the love, guidance, and adventures that our mother provided. Later in life came our baby brother, Torey. Mom was especially protective of him, and he quickly became her sidekick. Their bond was something special to witness, and she loved him deeply. Though she loved each of her children uniquely, there was never a doubt that her heart belonged to all of us.
She wasn’t perfect. But she was perfect for us. And not just for me—she was perfect for all of us. Every cousin who piled into that car with me knows exactly what I’m talking. She had a village of them, and she loved every single one of us the same.
My Mom was the fun one. She was the one who made childhood feel like a gift. She would load me and my cousins up and head to the park just because the sun was out. She took us to the movies, treated us to pizza in the West End like we were royalty—because to her, we were. She had us at parks, beaches, and carnivals with sticky hands and big smiles, and at the circus with our eyes wide open, convinced that magic was real. She was the magic.
It wasn’t just her children she poured into—it was all of us. Every cousin reading this knows exactly what I’m talking about. You felt it too. That’s just who Brenda was. You couldn’t be around her and not feel chosen. Watching her put on makeup and get all glamorous to go out was exciting to watch, she inspired all us girls in the family.
But toward the end, it got hard. Watching her carry that pain was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. No child should have to watch their mother suffer. And yet she still smiled. She was still her.
What I hold onto is this: she is not hurting anymore.
And one day we will see her again. I truly believe that. And when we do, she’ll probably already be organizing a trip somewhere—with me, Jabari, Torey, the cousins, and all of us close behind.
To every cousin, grand-cousin, every person she welcomed in, every soul she poured into—thank you for loving our mother back. It meant everything to her. And it means everything to me. It was the greatest honor of my life to share her with you all.
Brenda’s memory will live on in the hearts of her children, grandchildren, extended family, friends, and all those fortunate enough to have been touched by her kindness and love. Though she will be deeply missed, her spirit remains alive in the countless memories she created and the lives she enriched.
Preceded in death is Brenda’s mother Elsie William’s, father Larry William’s, sister Vivian Barns, Barbara Strong, Ruby Adams, Marjorie Edmonds, Deborah Love, brothers Richard Williams, Larry Williams Jr, Robert Williams, Eddie Williams.
Brenda leaves behind her children, Jabari Ato El and daughter in law, Yoshiko Nakagawa El of Nagoya, Japan; Lisa Edmonds, Eatontown, NJ; Torey Edmonds and daughter in law Mellina Edmonds of Warren, MI; siblings Arlene Williams, Southfield, MI, Keith Williams and sister in law, Edith William’s, Houston, TX; grandchildren Leah Jones and significant other Rahmere Simonian Oceanport, NJ, Marvin and Michael Hall, Eatontown, NJ; great grandchildren, Rahmere Jr, Layla, and Lariya Simonian, Oceanport, NJ. As well as a host of nieces and nephews.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:23
🕊️ Forever loved. Forever remembered. 🕊️💜
Rest now, Mom.
No more pain. No more fighting.
Just peace—the kind you always deserved.
