Brenda Cale Olls

1939 - 2025

Brenda Cale Olls

October 31, 1939 - September 4, 2025

Raleigh, North Carolina - Brenda Cale Olls, 85, of Raleigh, passed away peacefully in her home on September 4, 2025.

Brenda was born on October 31, 1939, in Wilson, N.C., to the late James Clifton Cale, Sr. and Marjorie Powell Cale. She graduated from Atlantic Christian College in three years and relocated to Camp Lejeune to teach. There she met her husband, Anthony Thomas Olls, Jr., who served as the couple's character-in-chief during their 55 years of marriage. They soon made their home in Raleigh where they raised three kind and, at times, well adapted children. She loved her children deeply, of this there was never any doubt. She loved others' children too, teaching first grade for several decades in the Wake County Public School System. She eventually retired from teaching, but quickly found a new outlet for the well of grace, humor and patience developed from a career in early childhood education: a retirement job as a legislative assistant at the General Assembly. As at home and in school, she thrived in serving others.

She loved birds. Her backyard teemed with bird feeders, matched in number by a series of increasingly convoluted contraptions her family gifted her to combat the scourge of thieving squirrels. Without her consent, Tom bought her a flock of chickens to add to the mix. She loved them too. Brenda didn't love the possum that mortally wounded three of the chickens, and she beat it to death with a garden hoe in her high heels before work when she found it occupying the coop amongst the carnage. She was a petite lady (Tom called her Big Brenda), with a big heart, but she was tough too.

Brenda loved sunshine, walking, and traveling. Flowers and plants brought her joy. She was a voracious reader. She drove with one foot on the gas and one on the brake. Her oatmeal cookies were renowned. She was unfailingly kind, and she had a sharp wit. Her optimism knew no bounds. She liked about everyone she met.

She made a sustaining difference in the world. She made it better. In her absence we are worse. But the grace and love she left behind will reverberate onward and tide us over until we see her again.

In addition to her parents, Brenda was preceded in death by her husband, Anthony Thomas Olls, Jr.; and by her brother, James "Booty" Cale, Jr.

She is survived by her sister, Linda Losack of Wharton Texas; three children, Andrew Olls (Nancy) of Stanley, Anna Keck (Eric) of Gibsonville, and Adam Olls (Courtney) of Raleigh; and her six grandchildren, Laura Olls, Rebekah Olls, Michael Olls, Logan Keck, Griffin Olls and Annie Olls.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 11 a.m., at Renaissance Funeral Home, 7615 Six Forks Rd., Raleigh, N.C. 27615. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to A Note in the Pocket or the North Carolina Bluebird Society.

Condolences: rfhr.com.