Brenda Hennekes

Brenda Carothers Hennekes, 77, passed away at home in Fort Worth on November 6, 2021.

She was born in Fort Worth to parents, James A. Carothers and Llanona M. Carothers. She grew up on the Northside and attended school at Sam Rosen and J.P. Elder before moving to Lake Worth where she attended high school. She was a member of Rosen Heights Presbyterian Church.

As a child, she loved to visit her maternal grandparents in Brady, TX. Her great-grandmother, Essie Elliott Milburn, taught her so many things and Brenda always called her "My Hero."

She was married to Bill Laxson and had 4 children, Belinda, Jamie, Bill and Kellie. After their divorce, she met Jan Hennekes at work and they were married. After a move to Wichita, KS, her fifth child, Janette Hennekes was born. With kids, dogs and an occasional hamster, her home was lively, full of laughter and the door always open.

The family returned to Texas and lived in Fort Worth until moving to San Angelo in 1976. She and Jan had many friends in San Angelo and were members of St. Paul Presbyterian Church.

After a move to Irving in 1980, Brenda began her insurance career at Sentry Insurance. She made life long friends at Sentry. She retired from the industry after working in several claim management positions. Brenda was a natural problem-solver and an excellent negotiator, both inside and outside of work.

After 26 years of marriage, Jan passed away and Brenda downsized with a move to Fort Worth to live closer to her sister. They worked together on family genealogy and traveled to Scotland among other places.

Jan was the absolute love of her life and she never remarried.

Brenda was an expert mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a talented seamstress, watercolor artist, decorator, jewelry maker, gardener, and loved all kinds of arts and crafts. She was known for her legendary Thanksgiving dressing which we will never be able to replicate.

She was curious and knowledgeable about so many topics and you could always rely on her insight and expertise. It was spot on. She loved with her whole heart and to know her was to love her. The night before her death she was lively, laughing and so loving. She will live on in our hearts forever.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James A. Carothers and Llanona M. Carothers, husband Jan Hennekes, brother Jerry Carothers and granddaughter Amanda Penry.

Survivors include her sister, Janan Carothers, brother David Carothers, children, Belinda Wagner (Andy), Jamie Conner (Troy), Bill Laxson (Grace), Kellie Gutierrez (Ralph) and Janette Keen (Tim). She is also survived by step-children Rick Hennekes (Karen) and Susan Mieure (Terry) and niece Kerry Smith.

14 grandchildren survive; Aaron Wagner, Ryan LeClair, Riley LeClair, Ashley Foley, Melissa Bilinski, Whitney Penry, Traci Penry, Laura Penry, Josh Keen, Micah Keen, Shannon Henize, Brian Hennekes, Kristen Gray and Jessica Gray, as well as 11 great-grandchildren, extended family and friends and beloved dog, Daisy.

Pallbearers are Aaron Wagner, Ryan LeClair, Riley LeClair, Josh Keen, Ryan Foley, Kenny Tadlock, Alex Rios and Bryan Davis.

Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 P.M., Thursday, November 11, 2021 at Williams and Lucas Funeral Home with funeral service at 1:30 P.M., Friday, November 12, 2021 also at Williams and Lucas Funeral Home with interment to follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Fort Worth.

If desired, donations can be made to the Lupus Foundation of America at www.lupus.org.