Brenda Straddeck

IN MEMORY OF: Brenda Straddeck Serving Location: CRAIN FUNERAL HOME – ANNA 135 West Vienna Street, Anna, Illinois Brenda Straddeck, age 67, of Cobden, lost her battle with cancer and left for her Heavenly home on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. She is preceded by her father John, mother Roberta, brothers William (Willie) and Francis (Frank), sister Deborah and cousin Bill. Brenda is survived by her husband John, son John (J.W.), her Aunty Helen, Cousins Barbara and Becky, niece Jennifer, nephew Daniel, grandniece Allison, grandnephew Jared. She was born on August 15, 1959, in Ft. Knox, Kentucky, where they say that's where she got her golden blond hair. Brenda spent two years in the Army Reserve and became a Med. Tech Specialist. She met her husband John in Southern Illinois, had a son, J.W. on June 13, 1982, and got married on September 28. While J.W. was in school, Brenda provided care for an elderly couple, (Syl and Annie). This provided her work while always being home when her son was, always at the stop when the school bus picked him up and waited for him when they dropped him off. Brenda later earned her nursing license and worked at the Jackson County Nursing Home while working there; she got her Real Estate license and began working part time at Century 21. She worked briefly at Jonesboro Healthcare before working full time as a Broker Agent for Century 21. Brenda was known for helping her clients in any way she could to help them buy or sell a home. Her drive to provide the best service as an Agent Broker would at times exhaust her. Brenda would enjoy a mini vacation to the Branson area where they go to a few shows, eat at various restaurants and fish in the lakes. All too often while her husband was fishing, Brenda would be sitting on the dock with her laptop open and phone in her trying to keep a deal from falling apart. Brenda will be remembered as a kind and loving soul, giving everyone the benefit of the doubt. Her selfless giving to serve others will not be forgotten. She will be missed. A Family Held Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 from 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM at the Carterville Community Center, 129 North Greenbriar Road, Carterville, IL 62918. To honor Brenda’s life, the family requests that you may donate to her favorite charities, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, https://www.stjude.org/donate/ , and/or Shriners Children’s Hospital, Attn: Shriners Children's Processing Center, PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394, https://donate.shrinerschildrens.org/ , and/or Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516, https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/ , and/or Disabled American Veterans, https://www.dav.org/ways-to-give/ . Crain Funeral Home in Anna, Illinois is in charge of arrangements.

Brenda Straddeck

August 15, 1959 - September 1, 2026