Brenda Charlene Kraft was born October 7, 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee to Eugene Jesse Cunningham and Sarah Louise O’nan Cunningham. She grew up in the Bethel Grove area of Memphis and graduated from Messick High School in 1960.
She soon met and married Gary Dean Kraft on March 31, 1962. Together they had two children, Kelley Jean and Dean Alan Kraft. She was a full time Mom and homemaker while her children were in school, and was very active in her church, the PTA, Boy/Girl Scouts and band parents to name a few.
She entered the work force once her children graduated high school. Throughout her career she worked as an Administrative Executive secretary for some lucrative organizations, two of them being Concord EFS and GTX/UT Cancer Research, from which she retired. Upon retirement, she managed to stay very busy. She loved to travel, and was fortunate enough to visit several European Countries and exotic cities in the Caribbean.
Most of all, she loved being with her Family, grandson and great-grandson. She was also an AVID dog lover. Overtime she rescued/adopted 3 dogs: Amber, Perry, and Buster, who is now her only remaining baby… and very spoiled.
She was an active member of Asbury UMC, and later move to Emmanuel UMC. Over the years, she served on numerous committees and held several volunteer roles, some being The Room At the Inn, the nursery, and the church office.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Louise Cunningham; her older brother, John E. Cunningham and her sister-in-law, Billie Ann Cunningham.
She leaves behind her younger brother, Joseph F. Cunningham; her sister-in-law, Betty Cunningham; her two children, Kelley Kraft Atkeison (Edwin) and Dean Kraft; her only grandson, Joshua Dean Kraft (Madison); her three great-grandchildren, Bella, Charlotte, and Andrew and her beloved dog, Buster.
Her family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the Staff of Brightmore of East Memphis for the exceptional care and kindness they provided Mom. Also, many thanks to Randy Villanueva for his excellent care and concern for Mom. Lastly, a HUGE thank you to Compassus Hospice for making Mom’s transition quiet, comfortable and most of all peaceful.
She was loved by many and will be missed by all who knew her. Long will you live in our hearts and memories.
The family will receive friends on Saturday February 17, 2024 from 2-5 p.m. at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38119.
