Brenda Virginia Davis

Brenda Virginia Davis, 75, of Columbia, MD passed away peacefully on June 11, 2025. She was born in Washington, DC to Ida and John Thompson, both deceased. She was married to Stewart Davis, also deceased. She is survived by her daughter, Kimberly Gardiner (Matthew) of Bethesda, MD and her son, Mark Manly (Carole) of Mount Pleasant, SC, from a first marriage to Donald Manly. She also leaves behind her loving sisters, Barbara Brown (Bruce, deceased) of McLean, VA and Betsy Crump (Larry) of Charleston, SC; three grandsons, Quinn, Michael and James Gardiner; a niece, Jennifer Leland (John) and a nephew, Michael Alexander, both of Charleston, SC. Her marriage to Stewart resulted in a blended family with Stewart's three children, Mark (Shannon) Davis, Eileen (Sam) Stein and Scott Davis.

Brenda attended Washington-Lee High School ('67) and The Washington School for Secretaries before pursuing a long, successful career in Government. She worked in numerous Defense and Civilian agencies, ACTION/VISTA, and the Department of Education. Most notable was her job as Executive Assistant to the Honorable John Lewis, former Congressman and Associate Director of ACTION and distinguished civil rights leader. She retired from the Education Department as a Senior Human Resource Manager in 1994 to care for her sick husband.

She was a loving and dedicated mother, wife, sister and grandmother, the latter being her favorite role. She played an important role in Quinn, Michael and James' up-bringing and took an active part in their lives, celebrating all their goals and accomplishments, driving them to and from school and appointments, attending all their sporting events and practices, and making sure the growing boys never missed a meal out with Grandma. She dearly loved those boys as well as all her immediate and extended family and did all she could to help them physically and emotionally. She leaves behind a legacy of much kindness and generosity.

A service is planned for Thursday, June 26 2:00 to 4:00 at Columbia Country Club, 7900 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD 20815

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Casey House Hospice, 6001 Muncaster Mill Road, Rockville, MD 20855, or online at montgomeryhospice.org.