Brenda Joyce Brooks RISHEL

Brenda J. Rishel, 69, of the Green Valley area of Bluefield, WV died quietly, Saturday, December 18, 2010 at North Hampton Manor in Frederick, MD. Brenda Joyce Brooks was born September 22, 1941 in Bluefield, WV. She attended Ceres Elementary and Bluefield High School. She was a beautiful and talented musician, singer and majorette. In the early 1960's, Brenda met her first husband, John Houchins while working in the art department at the Bluefield Daily Telegraph. They married in 1965 and soon moved to Fairfax, VA to raise a family. Brenda was an amazing artist. In 1980, she attended Northern Virginia Community College and graduated Summa Cum-Laude with a degree in Illustration. Her artwork won her several awards. After graduation she worked as an illustrator with the Department of the Army. Brenda's first marriage dissolved in 1985. She married Joseph Rishel in 1987, in Falls Church, VA. Shortly after retirement, they returned to Green Valley, where they lived until his passing in December of 1997. In 2003, Brenda moved to Frederick, MD to live with her son. Brenda liked to play the piano, sing, draw, cook and spend time with her children. Her children, grandson, friends & the nursing staff at North Hampton loved her very much. She will sorely be missed. Brenda is preceded in death by her parents, Ivory Whitten & Alma Jane Brooks, eldest brother Ed Brooks and second husband, Joseph Donald Rishel. Survivors include her first husband, John Ryan Houchins of Lindside, WV, one daughter & her family, Linda Jean, Eric and Adam Jeffrey Oakes of Sterling, VA and one son, Jeffrey Brooks Houchins of Frederick, MD. She is also survived by her twin sister Linda J. Brooks of Richmond, VA, brother & sister-in-law, Ronald and Lillie Mae Brooks of Princeton, WV, as well as four loving nieces and their families. We love you, Mom. Condolences may be left for Brenda's family at www.daileyfuneralhomes.com.