She was born April 30, 1950, in Portsmouth, a daughter of Kathleen Spradlin Williams LeMaster of Burlington, Ky., and the late Cecil Clayton Williams Sr.

Brenda was a retired cashier from Walmart in Waverly, and a 1968 Minford High School graduate.

She was also a member of the Scioto Baptist Church where she taught Junior Church and Bible School.

She is survived by her husband, James Leslie Dempsey Sr., whom she married Dec. 30, 1981; two sons John (Renee) Wilson of Jackson and James Leslie Dempsey Jr. of New Boston; one daughter, Emily Dempsey of Ironton; two grandchildren, John Randall Wilson II and Keara King; two brothers, Cecil Williams Jr. of Wheelersburg and Jim Hill of New Boston; three sisters, Vickie Schneider of Burlington, Ky., Kathy Taylor of Mansfield, and Connie Buckler of Portsmouth; her special little friends that were like her grandchildren, Breanne and Jared Gahm and Tyler and Payton Coriell; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010, at the Scioto Baptist Church on Cockrell's Run. Burial will follow in Dempsey Family Cemetery. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the McKinley Funeral Home in Lucasville and one hour before the service at the church on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Scioto Baptist Church, c/o Judy Arnold 1680 Dace Road, Lucasville, OH 45648.