Brenda Ann (Hudson) Johnson-Rice

Dr. Brenda Ann Hudson-Johnson-Rice, 57, of Decatur, Georgia and formerly of Cartersville, Georgia passed away on Monday, July 27, 2020 surrounded by her loving family.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, August 3, 2020 at 11:00 A.M. at Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, 1020 Mission Road , Cartersville, Georgia 30120. 

Dr. Brenda Ann (Hudson-Johnson) Rice was the 6th of 8th child born to William S. Hudson and Mary Ellen Smith Hudson in Buffalo, New York on January 15, 1963.  She moved to Cartersville, Georgia in 1986.  Upon moving to Cartersville, Brenda joined Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, where she became a Sunday School teacher for the youth.

Dr. Brenda accepted a teaching job with Cass High and Woodland High School. She was the Advisor to the Cultural Heritage Club, the Dance/Step team, Head Girls Track team, Lead Special Education Teacher, Assistant Coordinator for the Summer JTPA Program, Reality Through Words Program, and Mentor for the New Special Education Teachers.

Dr. Brenda was married to Claude Rice in 2012.  She was reared and educated in Buffalo, New York where she excelled and graduated from Lafayette High School.  She began her higher education at the College of Brockport University of New York in Rochester, New York, while being enrolled in the Army ROTC program and lastly earned her four-year Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice. Upon graduation, she enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves and ultimately attained the rank of Captain. Brenda continued to strive for excellence and earned her Masters Degree in Emotional Behavior Disorders from the University of West Georgia in 2000.  In August 2017 she completed studies for a Teaching and Learning Specialist Degree at Argosy University, Phoenix, which resulted in a Doctorial Degree. Brenda had over twenty-five years of teaching experience and had gracefully retired this year.

She leaves to cherish her memory her husband, Claude Rice; two exceptionally loving children, Chaz Dewayne Johnson and Jandia Ellen Johnson; grandson, Cuevas Banae Cost, III; stepdaughter, Laportia Antoinette Byrd; sisters, Gwendolyn Hudson Banks, Jacqueline Burton (Jasper) and Katherine Jones; brothers, William C. Hudson, Michael Hudson and Kenneth Hudson; a very special childhood sister/friend, Crystal Avent; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and family and friends throughout Atlanta, Cartersville, and Rome Georgia.

Condolences may be expressed at: www.mackeppingerfuneralhome.com

Mack Eppinger and Sons Funeral Service, Inc. are in charge of the arrangements.

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