Brenda Boaz

Brenda Gail Collins Boaz, 72, of Pilot Mountain, N.C. was born at home in Mount Airy, N.C. on October 4, 1946 to Wylie Claron Collins and Nada White Collins. Brenda was a beautiful, strong and passionate woman who was unshakable in her faith and beliefs.  She passed through this life and entered into the Light on Monday, February 25, 2019. She was where she loved and wanted to be… in her home with her loyal and loving husband Jeff by her side. Brenda graduated from East Surry High School and attended High Point College (now High Point University). She was an honor student who excelled in many areas including being a member of the Beta Club.  She was a beautiful, young and congenial woman who enjoyed participating in local pageantry competition.  She had a deep and lifelong passion for traveling, reading, writing and history. After college she began work at Essex Wire and Pike Electric in Mount Airy when she became engaged to and later married her high school sweetheart and love of her life Jeff Boaz. Continuing to work while waiting for Jeff to finish his US Airforce tour in Iceland, she began to plan her dream of her perfect life that she knew was to come. When Jeff returned, they began their life in Palm Harbor, Florida near MacDill Airforce base where Jeff would finish his duty.  They would later move to Myrtle Beach, SC before finally settling in Pilot Mountain, NC. Brenda was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church of Pilot Mountain for 49 years. Her church provided many special memories and times of fellowship. Throughout the years Brenda and Jeff would often return to Florida for visits to reminisce and be grounded with the place that they loved. Brenda loved spending time with her family and she loved to travel.  Her travels took her all across the country several times and internationally on trips to Europe, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.  She loved the beach, the Smoky Mountains, and she loved to go to the lake and spend time on the water with her husband and grandchildren.  She loved to stay up late and read books, and she loved to watch her children and grand-children grow up and achieve in academics and sports, often times collecting news clippings and photos for her collection.  Brenda loved to decorate her house for the change of the seasons and she loved to shop for 6 granddaughters that she never imagined she would have.  Brenda’s greatest accomplishments in life, and gifts she is most proud to leave behind, are her 9 grandchildren who all call her Mimi.  On her final days she was surrounded by her family in the place she built and lived called home. Brenda lived each day with great passion and purpose for what promises lie ahead guided by her faith all along the way. Brenda is survived by her extraordinarily devoted and loving husband Jeff Boaz, her three most loved treasures of her life, her 3 sons. Jay Boaz and wife Merry Craig, Ben Boaz and wife Jennifer, Justin Boaz and wife Karyn.  Jay, Ben and Justin’s children and Mimi’s absolute joys and delights are her 9 grandchildren, Jefferson, Folger, Merry Parker, Finley, Ellison, Addyson, Neyland, McCray, and Woodrow Boaz. Also surviving, one Sister Kaye Collins Wright McCormick and Mother-in-law Norma Boaz. Preceding her in death were her mother and father, Wylie Claron and Nada Collins, Brother Joel Naron Collins, and Father-in-law Raymond Jefferson (Bud) Boaz. A Celebration of Life service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Pilot Mountain, NC on Sunday March 3rd.  Visitation will be 12:30 PM – 1:45 PM followed by a 2:00 PM service. In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made to one of the following: 1) First United Methodist Church / Sunday School Revitalization Project P.O. Box 696.  Pilot Mountain, NC 27041. 2) Cardinal Foundation P.O. Box 681.  Pilot Mountain, NC 27041. The family would like to thank… Melissa King and caring staff of Mountain Valley Hospice & Palliative Care, Dr. Susan Hines, Alyson Semones, Vonda Rogers and the oncology staff of Novant Health.

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A Note from her Sister:

From a very early age Brenda had the intuitive inclination and motivation to care for and guide those whom she loved.  She was confident and always trusted her divine discernment, never wavering. If she wasn’t face to face with you, guiding you, she was thinking, praying and, yes, making lists, mental or physical, of step by step what it would take to help manifest the very best life for you, your family, and a better world for all.  Brenda was able to love others so deeply because she loved herself and knew from a very early age that “She was a child of God”. Brenda had tremendous strength and always knew what she wanted, never faltered and usually manifested her vision with the help and support from Jeff.  She never wavered or felt a need to justify herself.  She was always guided by the Light. When Brenda and Jeff became engaged and married in 1967, all her energy and strength went totally into building their family. Her vision was to create an equally yoked marriage that consisted of love, supporting her children and creating a beautiful home.  All this was to be built on the strength from the Divine.  Jeff was her soulmate, always by her side and the mission was accomplished. No one has ever been more proud of their family than Brenda.  She and Jeff raised three wonderful, successful, forthright men who hold true to their families and enjoy abundant life, rich in divine blessings. As a sister Brenda taught me all things good by word, but especially by example.  Even when we were apart for any time, I would glean the goodness from her living example and this will also be the case for years to come.  My sister taught me the importance of having a strong foundation and respecting oneself while being fair and kind. She also taught the joy and pleasure of presentation, social graces and beautiful and simple things. Above all else, she taught us the most valuable attributes in family are strength, love, devotion and faithfulness. Thank you Brenda, Wife, Mom, Sister, Aunt, Cousin, Friend… Mimi.  We will forever be grateful for your life and the lessons you taught us. We will continue to listen and watch for the subtle signs of your continuing guidance.