BRIGGS, Brenda Friend, Esq., age 64, of Chester, Virginia, peacefully passed away on June 10, 2009. She was born in Chester, Virginia, and was the daughter of Louise P. Friend and the late James Briggs Friend Sr., both of Chester, Virginia. A woman of many talents in various specialty areas, Ms. Briggs served as an educator for over 30 years, a legal service provider for the Virginia Department for the Aging, and, most recently, a compliance officer with the Department of Education, and an adjunct professor at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. Board member of the Chesterfield Historical Society, Ms. Briggs devoted her life to education, legal resources for the community and the research of local history. Additionally, Ms. Briggs served faithfully on the following civic organizations: 4-H Club, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Petersburg Chums, Martha Mason Hill Memorial Foundation, the Virginia Association of Black Women Attorneys, and was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church, Centralia. Brenda had a strong desire to stay connected to her close friends who have touched her life. Those friends who have been dear to her heart include the Carver High School Class of 1961 and her friends she met along her journeys at Virginia State University, Howard University, and the T.C. Williams School of Law. Brenda's vision was to bring legal savvy to the layman to promote self-advocacy. Preceded in death by her brothers, LeCogbill Elijah Friend and Louis Timothy Friend, Brenda is survived by her daughter, Nicole Briggs-Gary and husband, Kenneth A. Gary; two grandchildren, Kingston James Briggs-Gary and Kennedi Myah Briggs-Gary; mother, Louise P. Friend brother, James B. Friend Jr.; dear friend, Laverne Pride Yates; former husband, James E. Briggs; and four godchildren, Carla Friend Huggins, Terrance Wilson, Tamani Wilson, and Monet Cogbill; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. The family will receive friends for the Wake and remembrance at First Baptist Church, Centralia, 2920 Kingsdale Road, Richmond, Va. 23237, on Tuesday, June 16, from 5 o'clock p.m. to 7 o'clock p.m. The homegoing celebration will take place at First Baptist Church, Centralia on Wednesday, June 17 at 11 o'clock in the morning. The interment will follow the walking processional from the church to the Friend Family Cemetery at 3217 Kingsdale Road. Respectfully, Brenda's wish was for her family and friends to remember her with live plants or donations to the Martha Mason Hill Foundation, in lieu of cut flowers.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
