Brenda Rose Bautista

December 5, 1960 - November 17, 2020

It is with a heavy heart that our family and friends had to say our physical goodbyes to a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Brenda R. Bautista of Royalton, age 59, formerly of Murphysboro passed away on Tuesday, November 17th at 4:06 p.m., due to long term health complications at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion. She was born in East Saint Louis, IL, to Grover Ray Smith Sr. and Roberta Lee Smith (Guinn). Brenda is survived by a huge family who love her very much. Her loving and devoted husband, Alfredo Bautista, of Royalton. They were married a little over 42 years, when they committed their love to one another on September 21st, 1978. She is survived by her son, Jose Alfredo Bautista Jr, 40 years old, of Chester and his wife Natasha; her daughter Rebeca Sue Bautista, 37 years old, of Marion and fiancé Drew Mercer. Brenda also has two step-children, a step-daughter, Marisol Bautista of Winston-Salem, NC and her husband Trinidad, and step-son, Moises Bautista of Raleigh, NC and his wife Sandra; her mother-in-law Juana Paredes of Winston-Salem, NC; two grandchildren, Skylar Alexander Williams (16 years old) and Annabelle Marie Williams (14 years old), both of Murphysboro. As well as their mother, Amanda Marie Williams whom she considered a daughter, and her mother Rhonda who she considered family. She is also survived by many step-grandchildren of North Carolina. She has many surviving siblings, her eldest sister, Linda Leon of Carbondale; brother, Danny Ray Smith and his wife Angie of Kokomo, Indiana; sister, Patricia Smith aka Teresa and her husband Mike of Rockwood; sister, Joyce Mullins of Murphysboro, and her youngest sister, Charlene Fabian of Alto Pass; many nieces, nephews and friends. Brenda R. Bautista is preceded in death by her parents, two sisters and five brothers. Despite her illness, she was doing her best to enjoy her life of retirement; which included spending time with her chihuahua, Doree and her cat Ollie. As well as her grand-dog, Riley, whom she would do anything for. As she enjoyed animals and especially birds. She loved angels, roses among many other flowers, butterflies, and the color blue. In her spare time she enjoyed watching cooking shows, especially with her family, She was a great cook and loved to bake, she could make anything from scratch. She loved teaching her children and grandchildren to cook at a young age, it was always an enjoyable family activity to cook together. She enjoyed going to the movie theater/drive-in, reading, word search puzzles, traveling and enjoying new places to eat. Most of all she enjoyed having family together, loving and sharing laughs. This included having family picnics and she tremendously enjoyed the holidays with family. She especially loved spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren. One of her greatest accomplishments was raising two wonderful and loving children. But, the impact of her life and her greatest accomplishment was the love she has for her two grandchildren, Skylar and Annabelle, and helping raise them. They are her greatest joy, and the loves of her life. They were her world and she would have done anything for them. At times she would have them every day and if not, every weekend and summer. Skylar would lovingly call her mom. She always made sure they had what they needed and her true joy was spending time with them. Arrangements have been entrusted to Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 N. Court St., Marion. Per her wishes, she will be cremated. A celebration of life service to be held at a later date. If you would like to pay your respects, please do so by donating to an animal shelter, baking with your loved ones, or just telling your family that you love them, just as Brenda would have done. Brenda is very loved by her family and tremendously missed by all. Life will not be the same without her vibrant personality. But... It is never goodbye. See ya later mom. We love you so much and always will. You are the best and most loving mother. -Rebeca and Jose Bautista I am deeply going to miss you, and will love you for the rest of my life. I will think about you every second of my life and you will always be in my heart. I hope Jesus accepts you in Heaven with open arms. I love you deeply. -Alfredo Bautista You were the greatest grandma of all time, and we wish you didn't leave us. We will keep all the memories in our hearts. And we will love you always. - Skylar and Annabelle Williams For additional information call the funeral home at 618-993-2131.