Brenda Joyce McGowan was born January 3, 1949, in Huntsville, Texas, to Rosetta Randall and Lamar Harrison. She attended public schools in Huntsville, Texas, where she graduated from Sam Houston High School, Class of 1967.

Brenda was an avid homemaker, hard worker, and dedicated Certified Nurses Aid specializing in Hospice care for many patients surrounding the Huntsville area. She remained faithful in the workforce until her health began to fail.

Brenda accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. She believed in serving the Lord and her Gospel Hill community, whether it was volunteering to transport the children to vacation bible school or traveling to the Houston Zoo.

Brenda was kind-hearted and compassionate, spreading her love and joy to whomever she had the pleasure to meet.  Brenda is preceded in death by her parents, Rosetta and Lamar Harrison; sister, Betty Williams; brother, Terry Harrison; and son, Kelvin McGowan.

Brenda leaves to witness her homegoing; her loving, faithful and devoted husband of 52 years Robert Melvin McGowan; sons: Robert Sinclair McGowan (Jennifer) and Melvin Ray McGowan; daughters: Vanessa Faye McGowan and Hope Elaine McGowan; three grandchildren: Keylee McGowan, Robert Lee McGowan and Katelynn Johnson; brothers: Bob Harrison (Phyliss), Tony Harrison, and Rev. Carl S. Harrison, Sr. (Gloria); sister in law, Josie Harrison and a host of nieces, nephews and additional relatives and friends.