Ms. Brenda DeLeah ("Brem-Brem") Boyd

Brenda DeLeah Boyd was born on December 2, 1950, in St. Louis, Missouri. She was the first daughter born to Ailious A. and Dorothy Boyd. Her parents, brother, Ailious Jr. "Ricky," her granddaughter, Leilani Chanel, and her dear friend, Gloria Stewart, preceded her in death. 

Brenda received Jesus Christ at an early age at Trinity Redeeming Spiritual Church and was baptized under the leadership of Bishop E. B. Ross. She attended Sunday school, was a junior usher, and sang in the youth and adult choirs. During these she also sang with the gospel group, the "Wings Over Jordan," along with Steven Thompson, James Davis, Gleneace Ross, Charlie Mae Plummer, and Brenda White. Later it was just the ladies singing acapella and the harmony was tight. 

Brenda received her education in the St. Louis Public School District, attending Simmons & Simmons Branch Elementary, Turner Middle School, and graduating from Northwest High School in 1969. She was very active in school. She was the class vice president, member of the student council, track team, B-team cheerleader, and modern dance. Brenda, along with three high school friends, Marsha Bolar, Laurene Walker, and Phyllis Boone, started singing with a band called the Paramounts, who were called the Paramettes while in high school. Later, the group left the band and started singing with the George Hudson Orchestra. There they became known as the "Georgettes." The group was later introduced to the Young Disciples of East St. Louis, Illinois, aka, YODI. They recorded two songs, "Would you Rather" and "Hard Hard." Fifty years later, someone chose "Would you Rather" for the movie soundtrack, "Roxanne-Roxanne." The song started showing up on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Shazam, Deezer, and iHeartRadio. Fifty years later, the Georgettes actually started receiving royalties. 

Brenda gave birth to two children, Troy Antwionne Boyd (1970) and Danielle Denise Boyd (1974). Troy and Danielle were the loves of her life. She worked hard her whole life as a single mother to love and provide for them. 

In 1976, in support of her lifetime friend, Reverend Steven Thompson, Brenda and her family joined the Southern Mission Missionary Baptist Church in Kinloch, Missouri, under his newly appointed leadership. Due to the differences in doctrines, she was re-baptized. Later, she joined the Leonard Missionary Baptist Church (LMBC), also under the leadership of Reverend Dr. Steven G. Thompson. Brenda was a worshiper. She loved going to LMBC. It was her second home. She attended Sunday school, Bible study, and sang in the Mass Choir and the Women's Choir. She was the president of the Upward Praise Choral Ensemble for over twenty-five years. Upon retirement in 2009, she volunteered to prepare lunch for the noon Bible study and kept doing that even after she accepted the job of LMBC Office Administrator in December of 2016. She served as office administrator for many years. 

Brenda, fondly called "Brem" or "Brem Brem" by her very close family and friends, started her work history with the Bussmann Fuse Company in 1971, and she worked there for seven years. Eventually she started to apply for jobs at Southwestern Bell, but was turned away everytime and told that they weren't hiring. One day, tired and frustrated with the factory work and determined to get her dream job, she went to Southwestern Bell employment office ... and insisted on speaking with a manager (created a scene actually). She told them, "If you just let me take the test ... I know I'll pass it!" Well, they did, and she did, too. Six months later, she was called for a job interview. Ultimately, she got the job and worked for Southwestern Bell and AT&T in several positions over the next thirty-one years. Brenda retired in December 2009 at age fifty-nine. She wanted to spend quality time with her grandson, Selahshua Malik White, during his high school years. She was fondly known as "Gram" by all his friends and attended all his basketball games and school functions. Gram's house was where all the guys loved to hang out. 

Brenda always had a big smile and an encouraging word. She was loving and supportive. If you were her family or friend, she embraced you with all that she had. She loved her family, her church family, and her friends. She was a devoted mother and grandmother, a loving and supportive sister, and a "just a phone call away" friend. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. 

On Monday, July 19, 2021, God decided it was time for Brenda to rest and come home. 

She leaves to cherish her memory: a devoted son, Troy A. Boyd; a devoted daughter, Danielle D. Boyd; a loving grandson, Selahshua Malik White (Michele); a bonus mother, Joyce M. Boyd; sisters, Fontaine D. Boyd-Lowe, (Dave) Shelia R. Robinson (Kenneth), Geneva J. Redmond, Minister Torree Boyd-Munson (William); three brothers, Fredrick Clark (Ida), Monte' K. Boyd, and Marlon R. Boyd; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends. Finally, there are those special lifelong friendships with Tommy and Fren Dodson of Arkansas, the Leonard Missionary Baptist Church Family, and other close friends. You know who you are! 

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