Brenda W. Smoak

On Sunday, April 27th, 2025, Brenda Wood Smoak left this physical world to be reunited with her one true love. Born on April 29th, 1952, to Alfred R. Wood Jr. and Reba Maxine Wood, in the Walterboro area, growing up in the small community of Smoaks, SC.  Brenda lived many years in Cayce, SC, close to family as she raised her own, returning to Walterboro in her later years.

Brenda was predeceased by her husband, Edward Smoak, and leaves behind a daughter, Kelly Poole (Frank), a son Edward (Marty) Smoak Jr, granddaughter Aurora (Renae) Gastright (Michael), grandsons Zachary and Noah Poole, Jeremy Miller, as well as  great-granddaughters Soren Gastright and Adalynn Miller, and great-grandsons Aiden Gastright, Patrick and Deacon Miller, Other remaining family include a brother Richard O. Wood, nieces Stacey Wingate and Aimee Seay (Andrew), an aunt Helen Beach, and many loving cousins.

In her time here, Brenda was a quiet, kind, loving spirit, that was introverted and not one to want to be the center of attention, but instead taking joy in spending time at home with her family. She loved going fishing with her husband and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She also found joy in individual hobbies such as reading, writing, puzzles and video games. Reading was by far her favorite hobby. She particularly enjoyed books that challenged her mind or involved clever play on words, sharing her passion for reading with anyone who would indulge her and share her excitement.

Life was not always easy and as it is for so many, did not necessarily turn out how she would have imagined, but there is always a lesson to be learned in the trials we face and the paths we choose. Of particular importance, as humans we need to remind ourselves that we should manage our own expectations and not force them on others, that perspective can be our greatest ally in maintaining relationships, and that there is never a time to abandon our ability to give grace, while also maintaining our own peace and boundaries. Love does not always look the same for everyone, in how we give or receive it, and our past experiences distinctly influence how we are able to show love to others. Brenda loved her family deeply along with friends and those around her, of that there is no doubt. Though it was a quiet love and may have looked differently, that does not make it any less meaningful.

One lovely gift our minds and hearts give us is the ability to remember good more than bad. When someone leaves our lives, over time it is our nature to focus on the memories that bring us joy, letting other things slip away. What an absolute treasure this is to shine a light on the uplifting and heartwarming memories we share with those in our lives, present and past, being able to intersperse laughter in the tears that may fall.

We all travel this world trying to make sense of things, doing the best we can with the circumstances we find ourselves in, remaining as true to ourselves as we can, but there is beauty in how that varies in each of us. Two quotes come to mind, likening life to books, in honor of Brenda’s love for reading, the first of which comes from Mark Twain: “There was never yet an uninteresting life. Such a thing is an impossibility. Inside of the dullest exterior there is a drama, a comedy, and a tragedy.” Secondly, Mary Lou Kownacki once said, “There isn’t anyone you couldn’t love once you’ve heard their story.” Always keep listening and reading.

ARRANGEMENTS BY: THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES AND CREMATORY, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro. 843.538.5408.  Visit the registry online at: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.