Brenda Arlene Lee

Brenda Arlene Reynolds-Lee, 73, passed away on December 8, 2017, at her home in Riverside, CA. She was born on June 8, 1944, in Los Angeles, CA. to Alvin and Sinora (Leffall) Harper. Brenda was the only child of this union.

Brenda grew up in Perris, Ca. She graduated from Perris High School at the age of 16. After high school, she enrolled at Riverside City College where she earned her Associate Degree in Accounting. While working full time and taking care of family, Brenda attended the University of LaVerne in the evenings where she received a Bachelors Degree in Business Management.

In 1963, Brenda married Billy Joe Reynolds. Brenda and Billy Joe were married for 27 years. From their union two children were born, Loran and LaDeana. In 1994, Brenda wed Frank Lee and they were married for 23 years.

Brenda began working in 1967 as a telephone operator for GTE. She elevated quickly into management within the company. She worked as a floor supervisor and later promoted to the training department where she wrote the operator training curriculum and had oversight of the trainers. Brenda retired in 1997 as the manager of the Training Department.

Brenda was a member of the First Baptist Church in Perris for over 50 years. She served on the usher board from 1967 to 2016. She also served in the capacity as a church Trustee and Financial Secretary for 15 years.

Brenda was an avid reader, writer, traveler, and movie enthusiast. She encouraged personal growth and stressed education. She firmly believed in the quotes by Maya Angelou, "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better" and "The question is not how to survive, but how to thrive with passion, compassion, humor, and style." After Brenda retired, she volunteered as an English Literacy tutor at the Riverside Public Library. She also tutored the youth at the church. She volunteered at Kaiser Permanente in Riverside, reconciling the financial books of the gift shop until her death.

Brenda is preceded in death by her grandparents Luther and Georgia Leffall, parents Alvin (April 2016) and Sinora Harper (December 2011) and spouses Billy Joe Reynolds (April 2015) and Frank Lee (April 2017).

Brenda leaves to cherish her memory, son Loran E. Reynolds (Daria) of Perris, CA. and daughter LaDeana J. Adams ( Robert ) of Quartz Hill, CA; 8 grandchildren: Corey Reynolds, Marcelleous (TJ) Knight, Bria Adams, Aubriah Reynolds, Alexa Adams, John Walker-Reynolds, Carissa Adams and Jenesis Walker-Reynolds; and 1 great grandson Khamai Carlin Reynolds, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.