Brenda Carol Earnhardt

Brenda Carol Earnhardt Anderson, devoted wife, mother and Nana, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at the Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House of Salisbury. She fought a brave and courageous battle of Amyloidosis for 6 years. When diagnosed on Christmas Eve of 2014, she was told that she had at best one year. She wanted to fight and we did. Her disease went into remission but the ugly disease damaged her heart, lungs, and kidneys. She continued to fight.

Brenda was born on October 30, 1942 in Rowan County. She was a 1961 honor graduate from East Rowan High School. She worked as a dental assistant and office manager for Dr. Smith Kirk, Orthodontist for 39 years until his retirement. She later worked for Dr. David Mayberry, dentist and then at Rowan Regional Medical Center in the Emergency Department for 21 years. She only retired from RRMC/Novant due to her health. She loved to work, help others, and being surrounded by people.

Brenda is survived by her husband of 59 years, Jesse Robert Anderson, also known as Da to so many; son, Kenneth and fiancée Amanda Vaughn; daughter, Amy and husband Doug Shellhorn along with their three children, Walker, Blaine and Faye Carol; and her beloved sister, Bobbie Earnhardt, who spent hours helping care for her, shopping, and talking about their grandchildren. Cherished nephews are Darren Earnhardt and wife Heather of Charlotte; their children Makenzie and Maddox; Shane Earnhardt and his wife Manalle of Salisbury; and their children Cooper and Braxton.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Virgil Adam and Hazel Brady Earnhardt.

She was a lifelong member of Messiah Lutheran Church where she had taken care of the nursery and assisted in many events and classes throughout her years at the church. She was also a recipient of The Rotary Paul Harris Fellow Award given to her by Dr. Smith Kirk.

She was known in the community for being the “adopted Nana” for many children and adults who adored her. Prior to her deteriorating health, one of her most cherished times was camping in her family camper at the beach with a large number of friends gathered around her. This was an Easter tradition that was a highlight of her year-sunrise service on the beach, surrounded by her family and friends, celebrating that Jesus Christ had risen. She actually talked about this the Friday before her death.

She loved watching and cheering on her grandchildren as they played their favorite sports and reminding them to “MGC” (make good choices). She enjoyed cross-stitching, baking, and decorating her Christmas tree for different seasons. Most of all she enjoyed and loved her family and friends. She remained positive throughout her health issues and always reminded us to “count our rainbows, not our thunderstorms.”

She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who knew her.

She requested her funeral service be held on a weekend so few people would have to take a day away from work. Again, always thinking of others. Her visitation will take place at Messiah Lutheran Church, Salisbury, Sunday, March 1, 2020 at 1:00pm in the Fellowship Hall followed by a Celebration of Life in the sanctuary beginning at 2:00pm. Burial will follow at Rowan Memorial Park.

We would like to personally thank Novant Health Rowan for caring for our Nana so many times, Dr. Fred Goss, Dr. William Brinkley, Dr. Paul Capito, Dr. Neil Patel, Dr. Danny Holland, Dr. Matt Storie, and Dr. Chet Amin along with all of their staff. We would also like to thank the Hospice House for making Nana’s last few days so peaceful.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials to be made to Glenn Kiser Hospice House, Salisbury, NC; or Amyloidosis Foundation, Clarkston, MI in Nana’s memory.

Summersett Funeral Home is servicing the Anderson family.