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Brenda Lynette Polk, the daughter of the late Robert Lee Johnson and Jessie Lee Foster, was born on January 2, 1956 in Bangor, Maine. Brenda fell asleep in death on Sunday February 14, 2021 in Rock Hill, SC. Brenda was her mother's "baby". A smart and kind child that at an early age developed a love for taking care of others. She developed her strong mothering instincts as the stand in mother to her siblings Linda and Keith when Jessie Lee was working outside the home. She grew up in Charlotte, NC amongst a close knit kin of aunts, uncles, and cousins that helped raise her and her siblings.

Brenda received her education from Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools and graduated from East Mecklenburg High School in 1974. After graduation she decided to forgo college scholarships to focus on her ministry with her high school sweetheart Vincent Polk. They were married from 1974 to 2005. Their marriage produced three children, April, Joseph, and Jerrard Polk.

Brenda was a very capable wife and mother. As a young mother she had to nurse both of her sons through major medical procedures. Doctors said nothing was wrong with her infant son Jerrard. Her intuition told her otherwise, and she saved his life by persisting to ensure he received the best medical care possible. She had a skill for talking to people and teaching children. Those natural abilities were used while working for various companies in Charlotte. One of her kids favorites was her job with Eastern Airlines in the 1980s that allowed them to fly to Bermuda to visit and play with their cousins. She even ran a small childcare nursery so that she could work from home while raising her small children. She was ahead of the curve in this way. The kids also loved her summer job at Hardees because she would bring home fresh cinnamon raisin biscuits for them to eat. Whatever work she did she always made sure that she would be available for her family. She spent most of her working life in various roles at Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. The one she loved the most was increasing literacy and promoting a love of reading as an assistant librarian.

She loved books and taught all of her children how to read before they started school. After some time she started reading to kids at after school programs throughout the city of Charlotte as "The Book Lady". She was also known for her good cooking and she made sure the kids knew how to cook. Her boys too! Friends and family knew that they were in for a treat when invited for a meal at her table.

She especially showed loving care to her mother Jessie Lee and her many aunts. She made it a point to take them all on a trip every year to her favorite place Myrtle Beach, SC. They couldn't wait to enjoy each other's company playing cards, walking the beach, and shopping for bargains. Her love for her extended family and friends was unparalleled. Always ready to help coordinate a get together or pick up someone else's child for a fun outing.

Brenda was preceded in death by her father Robert Lee Johnson and brother Charles Walker. She leaves behind to cherish her fond memory, her mother Jessie Lee Foster, two sisters Linda Sellers of Charlotte and Eloise McCree, one brother Keith Johnson, daughter April Maurer of Concord, NC, son Joseph Polk of Charlotte and son Jerrard K. Polk (Christel) of Newburgh, NY, son by marriage Carlos Clyburn (Audrey) of Belmont, NC, grandchildren Kimberly Maurer, Christopher Maurer, Tristyn Polk, Jamir Polk, Anthonie Polk, Roman Polk, Alyssa Clyburn, Madeline Pickersgill, Bree Clyburn, Aaron Clyburn, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, friends, and special friend Clyde Howze.