Brenda L. Dendy Stroud, daughter of the late Nancy E. Childers Dendy Edwards and the late William Paul Dendy, Jr., was born in Washington, D.C., on April 24, 1942. Along with her parents, she was raised in the loving arms of many relatives, including grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who hailed from Blacksburg and Laurens, South Carolina.  On Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at 81, as she slept, Brenda transitioned into eternity. 

At a very young age,  Brenda accepted Christ. She exhibited extraordinary talent and creativity in the arts, and she would delight her parents with creations made of things that most people would consider just ordinary. Her dazzling green eyes were a window into her soul and encapsulated the range of colors she would rely upon in her artistic creations for her entire life.

Brenda graduated from McKinley High School in Washington, D.C., where, in 1958, she was elected Homecoming Queen. She attended Howard University and was initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. as a part of the Eveready 42, Alpha Chapter, 1961, and was queened an Omega Psi Phi Sweetheart.

Brenda received her B.A. from Howard University with a major in art. While at Howard, she studied under Lois Jones, a distinguished contemporary painter and designer. One of her greatest memories was when she traveled to Paris, France, in the summer of 1962, where she studied under the guidance of Lois Jones and resident painting professors at L’Academie de La Grande Chamier. She graduated from Howard with the coveted “Outstanding Graduate in Arts Award.”

Brenda married the late Walter G. Stroud in 1963, and from this union, Walter Daynan and Natalie Michelle Stroud were born. She completed her Master of Science Degree at Pratt Institute in New York City while her family was young and relocated to Detroit, Michigan, in 1972.

Brenda started her career as a teacher in the Detroit Metropolitan area and inspired many talented students to embrace their creativity throughout her career. She took a hiatus from teaching and worked in the private sector as a well-respected manager at General Dynamics and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. She returned to teaching art in the Detroit Public School system until retirement. After retirement, Brenda opened BrendArt Gallery, where she showcased and sold custom pieces of her artwork, jewelry and other unique creations.  From November of 2019 through  March of 2020, Brenda's  piece entitled "Ancestors by the Water's Edge," (1989), was exhibited  at the Detroit Institute of Arts exhibit "Detroit Collects: Selections of African American Art from Private Collections." 

Brenda’s work hangs in many private art collections throughout the United States and has been exhibited in galleries and shows in Chicago, New York, Michigan, and Washington, D.C. In 1993, 1994, and 1995, her artwork was featured by GMC Truck at the National Urban League Conference and, in 1995, at the Congressional Black Caucus.

Brenda was an extraordinary mother, grandmother, and friend to many. Her sense of humor, infectious laugh, and sparkling eyes will be missed by all who knew and loved her,  Her artistic talents will be forever longed for in the community. 

Brenda leaves to rejoice her precious memories; her son, Minister Walter Daynan Stroud, and daughter-in-law, Elder Tondalah S. Stroud; her daughter, Natalie Michelle Stroud Fenner, Esq., and son-in-law Reginald B. Fenner.; her grandsons, Lt. William A. Flowers and Christian Hunter Stroud Fenner, and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

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