Brenda Patton Wills
1944 - 2026
Brenda Patton Wills of Clemmons, NC passed away peacefully on August 5, 2026, with her devoted husband, Charles “Chig” Wills, and several family members at her side.
Brenda was born September 26,1944 in Emma, Kentucky to Chester and Faye Patton. She attended Prestonsburg High School, where she met Chig. She was a member of the singing group the Patsy Teenagers, worked as a lifeguard, and was a cheerleader before becoming the first Miss Floyd County. An Alpha Delta Pi, Brenda graduated from the University of Kentucky and was a life-long fan of Big Blue basketball. She worked for social services and taught school in Florida, where her students were mostly circus kids (literally, with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey). After moving to North Carolina in 1973, she chose to become a professional mother and community volunteer. Brenda liked to travel and did so extensively. She particularly loved Venice, Italy and Cody, Wyoming.
As an expression of her deep Christian faith, she found great joy in teaching Sunday school and leading Bible studies and Disciple classes in local Methodist churches. She served as a Stephen Minister and held numerous positions locally and nationally with United Methodist Women and Church Women United. In addition, she volunteered for many years at Contact, a crisis hotline, and was a board member at the Bethlehem Center.
Brenda is survived by her husband of 60 years, Charles Wills; her daughter, Ashley Wills; her son, Jay Wills and his wife Rebecca; her 6 grandchildren: Charlie, Thomas, William, Jacob, Henley, and Marshall; and her godson, Al Pelphrey. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Teddy Patton.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, August 22 at 4 pm at Trinity Methodist Church, 3819 Country Club Road, Winston-Salem, NC. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations in honor of Brenda to a meaningful charity, including the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home.
To Chig and family.
Sending prayers for comfort and healing. I always looked forward to when Chig and Brenda came to visit. She was always a joy to be with
Ashley my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I’m so sorry for the loss of your mother.
Brenda and Chig were such good friends – our daughters, Ashley and Miranda grew up together. We all went to Trinity. They visited my parents home in Virginia on their way to Kentucky. Brenda was such a beautiful and caring person. We loved her and are heartbroken for Chig, Ashley and Jay and families. We cherish our memories of Brenda.
Chig,
Hope vou are coping.
Brenda was the best.
Mark and Ruth Ann
Chig and family, Ray and I will be ever blessed by knowing the Wills family . Brenda was a delight to be around and will be missed.
Our memories with you all at Trinity will be treasured.
Truly a woman of faith who loved her family and her fellow man. The word of God was her purpose in life. She passed it on to all. Rest in peace my dear friend