Brenda Sexton

Brenda Sexton, 57, of Troy, formerly of Marshall, died on Thursday, March 1, 2012, at Beaumont Hospital in Troy, surrounded by her family after being stricken suddenly at home. Brenda was born on June 16, 1954, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Paul and Ann (Irving) Shipp. Her early years were spent in Indianapolis, Indiana, and would later move to Marshall, where she graduated from Marshall High School in 1972. Brenda was an intelligent, perceptive person with tremendous artistic talents and an offbeat sense of humor. She was a cat lover who always shared her heart and home with at least one quirky feline companion. Brenda was a born again Christian and her family and friends know she is now experiencing the peace, joy, and love of eternal life with Christ. She is survived and sadly missed by her special friend David, sister Susan (James) Goff of Portage, nephew Patrick Sheppard of Kalamazoo, niece Darcy Sheppard of Lansing, great-nephew Gavion Sheppard of Portage. She is also survived step sister Marianne Schondelmayer and family of Mesa, Arizona and Lansing, several cousins; Leslie Ditto and Family of Lakeland Florida, Sandy Scanlan and family of Samoa, and Betty Shank of Zionsville, Indiana. She was preceded in death by her mother and step-father Ann and T. George Shaw, and her father Paul Shipp. A private family graveside service will take place at Oakridge Cemetery on Monday, March 5, 2012 with the Reverend Mother Anne Schnaare officiating. Family requests memorial contributions be made to NAMI Metro, a local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, which provides advocacy and support for mentally ill persons in Oakland, Wayne and Macomb Counties of Michigan. Assistance with memorials is available at the Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home and Cremation Services