Brenda Starr Talley Helentjaris was born in Hohenwald on August 8, 1948. She was called to her heavenly home on July 6, 2023, with her children by her side. She spent the last week of her life surrounded by her grandchildren and family. She was the daughter of the late Samuel Clagett Talley and the late Helen Mae Casteel Talley.

Brenda was a graduate of Lewis County High School and Columbia State Community College. Brenda worked many years in the Lewis County School System as a substitute teacher before beginning her career with South Central Human Resource Agency in their Head Start Department. She worked many years in Head Start before retiring as a supervisor over several counties. In addition to working at Head Start, she devoted many years to Blondy Church of God. She supervised the children’s programs and worked in the church office up until the last few years. She was passionate about her love of God and her family. Brenda was often seen at her children and grandchildren’s events.

She is survived by her children, Jamie Clifton (Tammy) of Hohenwald, Starr Smith Riley (David) of Jackson, Amy Banks (Shannon) of Hohenwald. She had ten grandchildren, Katie Hensley (Michael) of Hohenwald, Evan Cunningham (Katarina) of Dickson, Ciara Dudley of Dickson, Sam Smith (Zeida) of Jackson, Abby Gray (Joel) of Hohenwald, Saige Smith (Marwan Alharini) of Robertsdale, Alabama, Ty Banks of Knoxville, Cade Banks of Hohenwald, Chilton Smith of Jackson, and Bo Banks of Hohenwald. She also had 10 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings, Fred Talley (Karen) of Savannah, Marion Sloan (Jim) of Kingston Springs, Carmie Floyd (Jerry) of Hohenwald, and Peggy Potts (Billy) of Hohenwald; sister in laws, Pat Talley of Mt. Juliet, and Joan Talley of Hohenwald; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband Thomas Helentjaris; her brothers, Dwayne Talley, Don Talley and Charles Talley; and her sisters, Marguerite Bullion and Wanda Epley.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Blondy Church of God in Hohenwald. A visitation will also be held on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the church. Heritage Funeral Home in Columbia is assisting the family with arrangements