Location: J.C. Battle & Sons Funeral Home (543 Rockdale Ave, Cincinnati OH 45229)

Born: Wednesday 08/12/1953    Died: Saturday 01/03/2026    Died In: El Paso, TX

Visitation

When: Saturday 01/17/2026 10:00am to 11:00am
Location: New St. John Baptist Church
818 S. Fred Shuttesworth Cir
Cincinnati, OH 45229

Service

When: Saturday 01/17/2026 11:00am to 12:00pm
Location: New St. John Baptist Church
818 S. Fred Shuttesworth Cir
Cincinnati, OH 45229

Burial

When: Saturday 01/17/2026 1:00pm to 1:30pm
Location: Vine Street Hill Cemetery+

Obituary

Brenda Kay Little was born in Cincinnati,Ohio on August 12, 1953, to Wallace Sr. and Clara Odessa Fannon. She departed this life to join our Lord on January 3, 2026.
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Brenda was the seventh of 13 children. She was raised in Evanston, where she attended Evanston Elementary and Sawyer Junior High School, before graduating from Cincinnati Courter TechnicalHigh School in 1971.

After graduating, Brenda began her first job at Jewish Hospital, where she pursued additional studies in Dietary Education. She then worked for the Cincinnati Public Schools District as a secretary in the Reading Department at Peoples Junior High School. From there she began her 35 year career in the insurance industry at various companies including Manufacturer’s Life Insurance and Manhattan Life Insurance before retiring from Great American Life Insurance in 2015. Her career provided an opportunity to make several wonderful, lifelong friends who became like family, including Rita Hicks and Brenda Twitty.

Beyond her professional career, her faith was a source of strength and comfort to her throughout her life. She was baptized at an early age, then joined New St. John Baptist Church in 1979. There, she sang in the choir, worked on the Kitchen Committee and was an active member of the Missionary Auxiliary, atone time serving as Missionary President.

Brenda loved being of service, especially when it meant preparing delicious hors d’oeuvres for the Annual Fellowship Tea. She attended faithfully until her move to Texas in 2016, where she viewed Sunday services virtually.

Brenda’s greatest joy was her two daughters,Sheri and Kami. In her writings, she shared that she could not have been blessed any better and expressed great pride in how they set goals, took the reins and achieved amazing things. She adored her Son-in-Love, Walter Simmons, Jr.,who brought laughter, love and steadfast support to her life. Brenda also reflected on how grateful she was for her wonderful family, treasuring their time together and delighting in the planning that made each gathering so special. To her nieces and nephews, she lovingly shared that she would always love them, no matter how old they became.

Brenda was known for her vibrant personality and timeless style. She loved dressing with elegance and class and took joy in hosting family gatherings, especially on New Year’s Day. Always warm and welcoming, she enjoyed socializing at community and family events, brightening every room with her presence and every life she touched!

Preceding Brenda in death were her parents,Wallace Sr. and Clara Odessa Fannon; brothers,Wallace Jr., Larry, Ronald and Michael Fannon; and sisters, Arlene “Toni” Fannon and Lavenia“Lulu” Bartleson.

Brenda’s memory will be cherished by: her daughters, Sheri (Walter) Simmons and Kami Little; grandson, Bryce Simmons; great-grandson, Trace “TK” Simmons; brother, Gerald(Kelli) Fannon; sisters, Sandra Flowers, Patricia(Joe) Hamm, Marcia (Brian) Frye, Jacqueline(Les) Edwards and Yolanda Fannon; goddaughter and niece, Sidney Edwards; as well as over30 nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.

Though her earthly journey has ended, Brenda’s legacy of joy, grace and quiet strength will live on. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered with love.

Little, Brenda Kay, Passed Saturday, January 3, 2026 Age 72 years. Visitation Saturday, January 17, 2026 from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM at New St. John Baptist Church 818 S. Fred Shuttleswoth Cir. Traditional Service on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 11:00 AM at New St. John Baptist Church. Burial at Vine Street Hill Cemetery, Cincinnati, Ohio. Special online condolences for family and friends may be expressed at https://www.jcbattleandsons.com