Brenda Parson

Clifford Bernard and Sophronia Mae Massenburg Robinson welcomed with joy their second child and first  daughter, Brenda Gayneil, on June 15, 1950, in Richmond, Virginia. She shared life with her favorite sister,  Patricia Fleming. Her life as a child was enveloped in family, heavily influenced by her paternal  grandmother, Louise Robinson Bey. After her graduation in 1968 from Armstrong High School, she  attended University of North Carolina Greensboro and was initiated in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. In  1971, she married Stephen Parson and together they began their family with the birth of Nichole Alexcia Ann and then 14 months later, they welcomed Stephen Jr. 

She accepted Jesus as her Lord & Savior in 1976 while living in Greensboro, North Carolina and her life  was never the same! She became a student of the Word, growing in discipleship and living the God-kind  of life. The family moved to Richmond and expanded with the birth of her second daughter, Adrienne  Miranda.  

After serving faithfully in ministry under the leadership of Bishop Wellington Boone, their family of five met in the living room for their first service in 1983 which was the beginning of The Richmond Christian  Center. Brenda was faithful to the call and served in every capacity of the church. God moved mightily and many lives were forever changed for the Kingdom of God.  

And then there was Mark Stephen, the last of her amazing children, and she continued finding joy in every  season. For over 19 years, she honored God in serving as First Lady, never wavering in her purpose,  increasing in her beauty, in her confidence, and her zeal to honor God with her life. In heeding the call of  God, she faithfully served her assignment as Pastor of Covenant Faith Church. In this season, God allowed  her to cultivate an intimate ministry of her family and close friends. Her love for ministry was consistent,  with a consecrated heart and diligent pursuit of the Word of God. Her greatest testimony for her family is  witnessing how she mastered the power of forgiveness and modeled a commitment to always walk in love.  Her Kingdom example and impact will abound for generations. 

Undeniably, after her love for Jesus, she passionately loved her family; 4 children, 12 grandchildren, and 1  great-grandson – and all her children call her blessed. Many women do noble things, but she surpassed  them all (Proverbs 31: 29). She found joy in supporting each of her children on their paths of success and  happily cared for each of her grandchildren – simply, her family became her ministry. She was active and  present in the lives of us all; no one is without her loving imprint and influence. She never missed an  opportunity to gather together as our biggest cheerleader and the beloved matriarch of her family – she is  the golden thread of love, woven intricately through the tapestry of “GMa’s Crew.” 

Her legacy of love remains through her children, Nichole Barnette (Reginald), Stephen Parson, Jr.(Cherie),  Adrienne Broom (Marcus), Mark Parson (Aynsley); her grandchildren, Temara Robertson (Jamel), Ciera  Koger, Micaela Parson, Curtis Smith, Alexandra Parson, Cydney Koger, Aaron Parson, Stephen Mark  Parson, Bria Freeman, Makenna Parson, Braylon Broom, and Camden Broom; and her only great-grandson,  Tylen Robertson; cherished sister, Patricia Fleming; nephew, James Fleming. The best great aunts, Louise  Branch, Joyce Henry (Washington), June Brown (Alvin), Jacqueline Mallory, and Beverly El; forever  family, Pastor Steve Parson; brother-in-love, Ronald Parson; always a son-in-love, Charles Koger, Jr.;  embraced by her love, Stephany and Sarah Parson and Kali McMurray; and an incredible host of cousins  and friends who love her dearly.