Brenda Carroll (Williams) Haigwood, 63, of Waskom, Texas, a dedicated wife, selfless mother, adored Nana, daughter, sister and friend to many won her battle with cancer at the feet of Jesus when she was called to her Heavenly home on January 4, 2024.

She was born on September 21, 1960, in Longview, Texas to Johnny Taylor Williams and Jimmie Lynn (Shaw) Williams.

She and her siblings loved spending time hunting, fishing, swimming and riding dirt bikes throughout their childhood and teen years at their Mamaw and Pawpaw's property on Tryon Road which surrounded Williams Lake. A tradition that continued until their passing and the property was sold.

She attended Longview schools and graduated from Pine Tree HS in 1979. During her HS years she was a member of the National Honor Society, drum major for 2 years and a twirler. She carried on her love of twirling throughout her college career at SFA which she received many awards and titles. One of her most admired achievements from her days at Pine Tree HS was the enduring friendships that were made and carried on to this day. She was also the twirling instructor at Marshall High School for several years.

Upon graduation from SFA she achieved a degree in Marketing from Stephen F. Austin University and returned to Marshall to work at her Father's Ford dealership (Johnny Williams Ford) in the advertising and marketing department. She has continued to work there for 40 years as the Marketing Director thru several ownership changes. She thrived to expand her knowledge of advertising and marketing within the automotive industry as a tribute to her father's legacy.

She married Scottie Haigwood on May 9, 1998, in Jefferson, Texas and unconditionally accepted his daughter and son from a previous marriage as her own and never regretted her decision. She made sure they always had what they needed, made sure they were at practices on time and taught them many things only a mother can. She was always so proud of their achievements and their giving back to her the love only a child can give.

She was an extraordinary person and an amazing cook who would spend most of her free time creating the best meals for family and friends. She loved taking recipes and tinkering them to her liking and taste. She described her love of cooking as her way to relax and find her calm. She truly had a way to put phenomenal into a basic recipe. She and Scottie began to share this passion many years ago and had plans to own a cookshack/food truck somewhere on the TX Gulf Coast upon retirement.

She also enjoyed motorcycling and traveling with their RV for many years. Again, her cooking and personality brought her more friends and Brenda's campsite was the place to be. Her approach to life was a magnet for fun, laughter and love.

She is survived by her husband, Scottie; daughter and son-in-law, Christin and Ragan Burgess of Lindale, son, Jonathan Haigwood of Dallas; grandchildren, Brystal, Ranger, Cavern and Baron Burgess of Lindale; mother, Jimmie Lynn Brewer of Longview; sister and brother-in-law, Becky and Walter Holman of Fairhope, AL; brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Paige Brewer of Gilmer; sister, Melanie Nipper of Kilgore; stepmother, Patsy Williams of Marshall; sister, Kim Jackson of Marshall; sister and brother-in-law, Kyla and Brad Burke of Marshall and uncle and aunt, Lewis and Dee Williams of Lake Fork along with numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Johnny Taylor Williams; paternal grandparents, Lewis Edward and Edith Carroll Williams and maternal grandparents, Lewis Franklin and Nina Gertrude Shaw.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, January 11, 2024, in the Chapel of Downs Funeral Home with Pastor Cameron Burgess of Friendship Baptist Church in Mesquite officiating. Interment will follow at Alpine Presbyterian Cemetery in Longview, Texas. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Matt Moore, Jay Harris, Artie Price, Danny Goode, Roy Coopman and Jonathan Haigwood.

Honorary Pallbearers are John Shelton, employee/staff of Marshall Ford and Maverick Chevrolet, Pine Tree High School Class of 1979 and her PT girls' friend group that meant so much to her.

In lieu of flowers, food, etc. the family asks that a donation be made in her honor to Heart to Heart Hospice or to MD Anderson Cancer Center.