Brenda Lee Shifflett

Brenda Lee Shifflett, 65, wife of William Randolph "Randy" Shifflett, of Stanardsville, passed away on Sunday, July 20, 2025, at their home in Stanardsville, Virginia.

Brenda was born in Charlottesville, Virginia, on April 22, 1960, the daughter of the late Eugene Shifflett and Elizabeth Shifflett.

In addition to her parents, Brenda was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Randy, and grandson, Brendan Lee Morris.

Surviving, are her daughter, Elizabeth Celeste Morris and her husband, Harold "Junior" Morris Jr.; her two sons, William "Billy" Randolph Shifflett lll, Richard Clayton Shifflett and his wife Jennifer Shifflett; her two brothers, Gary Shifflett and his wife Natalie, Roy Shifflett; her sister, Sandra Marshall; six grandchildren, Amber Lynn Wright and her husband William, Codey Dawn Martin, Jacob Dillon Morris and his wife Cheyenne, William Clayton Shifflett, Randolph "Ray" Scott Shifflett, Liam Dalton Shifflett; five great grandchildren, Alexander Wright, Daysi Rodriguez, Leonidas Rodriguez, Hadassa Morris, and Roman Morris.

Brenda was a daughter, sister, wife, coworker, boss, but to me, she was a mother. She was an inspiration of what you could be capable of, what you could achieve with hard work and little elbow grease. The kind of person who could lead when called upon and do what needed to be done in times of strife and struggle. I don't know if it came naturally or was a skill learned through a rough youth. She felt an obligation to be authentic and adamant, whether you liked it or not. It was part of her charm: you asked an honest question, you'd get an honest answer.

I was fortunate to have worked beside her for five years at Kmart. I got to see her in action, helping customers with all of her attention, care, and consideration. She would greet them with a smile, find out what they were looking for, and lead them straight to the item, no matter what it might be. If we didn't have it, she would let them know when we should expect it or what other stores might also carry it. Because that's who she was, it's about the person, their need, and how I can help them. I loved being there and learning that from her. She's always made me a better person by leading by example. And by having a higher standard for oneself, one can be the change that they want to see.

As much as I miss working with her, I wish I had more time just in general. I wish I knew more about her education at Broadus Wood School. I wish I had heard more stories about when she was a medic for the National Guard.

I know of her love for collecting, whether it be doll babies, Barbies, Betty Boop, Beanie Babies, or most things Disney. I think there was a childlike quality to her that she definitely inherited from her mother, Elizabeth, and I proudly say the same. She was probably more related to her kids and grandkids as a child. And she definitely loved being surrounded by all of her grandchildren and subsequently great-grandchildren.

Now she was all about a hard work ethic, but that doesn't mean she didn't know how to have fun. Daddy and Momma would light up on the dance floor; they shone as you could see the spark between them. It was always one of my favorite parts of attending family gatherings. We would all go fishing together; I'm not sure if she was there for the fishing as much as to just be there and enjoy spending time with Dad, watching how excited he'd get when they started biting. I guess that could also be said about going to Carlyle and all the car shows with dad, being together, and simply enjoying each other's company.

I'm sad I'll never get to work with her again. I'm sad I'll never get to ask her all the questions I have for only her. I'm sad I can't receive her warm embrace, her loving smile, even her scowl of disappointment. But when I close my eyes, I see her and Daddy dancing... welcoming and waiting for us to join the party.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Batten Funeral Home from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A funeral service will begin promptly at 12:30 p.m. Interment will follow at Holly Memorial Gardens at 1:30 p.m. 

Arrangements are entrusted to Batten Funeral Home of Ruckersville, Virginia.

An online guestbook is available at www.battenfuneral.com for those wishing to share memories or offer condolences. Your kind words will bring comfort and strength to the family during this time.