Brenda Bailey Cupstid, 80, of Denton, Texas, surrounded by her family, went home peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior Wednesday, August 7.

Brenda had been battling dementia for several years. She was born August 15, 1943, in Bloomfield, Mo. to James and Erma Bailey as their only child. She grew up in the St. Louis area, spending summers in southeast Missouri with her grandparents and cousins. She graduated from Ferguson High School in St. Louis County and went to work for Hamiltonian Federal Savings and Loan. In 1963, she met the love of her life, James (Jim) Cupstid, who relocated to Missouri following graduation from Mississippi State University to work as an aerospace engineer for McDonnell Aircraft Company.

The couple was blessed to have two children, a son, Tobin, and a daughter, Kim. The Cupstid family made their home in Jennings, Mo. and became longtime members of Fairview Baptist Church, where they were married in 1964. Brenda served many years in the children’s Sunday School Department, later serving alongside Jim as they both ministered to single adults, young married couples and senior adults throughout their 60 years of marriage. Brenda also worked as an administrative assistant for Jennings Junior High School for many years. Later, she would serve as an administrative assistant for various churches in the St. Louis area and California (when Jim’s job took them to the Los Angeles area from 1988-1991). While in California, God led them to Rose Drive Friends Church in Yorba Linda, where Brenda was on staff, and they worked together in the “Single Again” ministry. Following their return to the St. Louis area in 1991, they made their home in St. Charles and became faithful members of First Baptist Church (FBC) St. Charles.

Brenda’s passion was her family and serving others. She enjoyed hosting church gatherings, serving faithfully alongside Jim as they ministered to others, attending events for Tobin and Kim, and taking care of her grandchildren and supporting them in their events. Wanting to spend more time with grandchildren, Brenda and Jim moved to Texas in 2003, establishing their final home at Robson Ranch in Denton. They became members of FBC-Denton where Brenda served as a group leader for many years in the Charles and Louise Ramsey Life Group and published the weekly newsletter.

She taught her family and others how to love sacrificially by living out Philippians 2:3-5. She valued others before herself, not looking to her own interest but the interest of others. Through her love, humility, mercy and example, she taught her family how to live more like Jesus.

She is survived by husband, Jim Cupstid of Denton; son, Tobin Cupstid and wife Ashley of Coppell, Texas; daughter, Kim (Cupstid) Weinzatl and husband Shawn of Farmers Branch, Texas; five grandchildren, Colton Cupstid and wife Ashley of Richardson, Texas, Payton (Cupstid) Stevenson and husband Eric of Austin, Bailey Weinzatl of Farmers Branch, Texas, Tristian Weinzatl of Denton, and Mackenzie Weinzatl of Rib Lake, Wisc.; and one great-grandchild on the way, James Tatum Cupstid.

A visitation was held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, August 15 at Mulkey-Bowles-Montgomery funeral home located at 705 N. Locust Street, Denton, TX 76201. A celebration of life service was held at FBC-Denton, 1100 Malone St, Denton, TX 76201 at 11 a.m. Friday, August 16. Brenda was buried in Hazlehurst, Miss. in a private family service.

The family expresses their grateful thanks to members of the Charles and Louise Ramsey Life Group as well as Robson Ranch and St. Charles friends for their unfailing support these last few difficult months. They also express appreciation to the caregivers of Vitas Healthcare with a special thanks to Hugo Gottlich, Steve Hughes, Joanne Janssys, Frankie Williams, Anntwana Chirse, Carl Caffrey and Tara Perry.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Refuge Ministries (www.dentonrefuge.org\give).