Brenda Joyce Smith Cornett, age 72, of Cumberland, Kentucky passed from this life in the early morning hours of Thursday, July 25, 2024, while at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, KY, with her daughter by her side.

Brenda was born on December 14, 1951, to Elmer and Geraldine Sexton Smith in Benham, KY.  She had nine beloved siblings: four sisters: Sandra, Susie, Irma, and Patsy; and five brothers: Eugene, Ronnie, Ricky, Rodney, and Jamie. She grew up in Letcher and Harlan Counties and attended school at Eolia and Whitesburg High School.

Brenda married young and with the birth of her daughter, Monica, she held one of the most important job titles of her life…mother; the other being 'Nannie'.  She and her husband, Everett, who was the love of her life, completed their family with the birth of two sons, Daniel and Justin.

With a kind, loving, gentle personality, Brenda was a natural caregiver. She cared for her parents, six siblings, her in-laws, other family members, and friends in their final days on this earth.  She was selfless and nurturing and always put others before herself. Brenda liked to travel, enjoyed reading, was a great cook (especially her pasta salad), loved flowers, and was incredible at working crossword puzzles. She was smart, witty, and independent and always wore a smile on her face. More than anything, she cherished her family; adored her children and grandchildren and spent as much time as possible with them.  Her absence leaves a void that will never be filled but her precious memories will live on in the lives of all who were privileges to know and love Brenda.

Brenda is preceded in death by her mother, Geraldine Gladson Hill; her father, Elmer Smith; four sisters: Sandra Coalfield, Irma Smith, Susie Baldwin, and Patsy Cornett; two brothers: Eugene Smith and Jamie Smith; and a beloved grandson, Keegan Cornett.

Those left to cherish her memory include her devoted, loving husband, Everett Cornett, of Cumberland, KY; three children: daughter, Monica Perez and husband, Eric, of Harrodsburg, KY; son, Daniel Cornett and wife, Barbie, of Cumberland, KY; son, Justin Cornett and wife, Ashley, of Middlesboro, KY; seventeen grandchildren: Isabella Perez, Eli Perez, Abigail Perez, Annika Perez, Daxton Perez, Destiny Cornett, Hannah Cornett, Summer Farley, Autumn Farley, McKenzie Thomas, Peyton Lewis, Landon Cornett, Kaydon Cornett, Daniel Zackery Cornett, Hunter Cornett, Tayler Cornett, and Kaleb Cornett; one great-grandchild soon to be born; a host of extended family members; and many dear friends.

Visitation for Brenda will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at the Tri City Funeral Home in Benham, KY, from 12:00-2:00pm with the funeral service beginning at 2:00.  Pastor TR Christopher of Faith Temple in Middlesboro will be officiating. Brenda will be laid to rest in the Craiger Family Cemetery with family members serving as pallbearers.

Tri City Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Brenda Cornett.