Brenda Faye Blackmon Caviness, 68, of Hayes, died peacefully Aug. 3, 2011 at her home.

Brenda was born and grew up in Richmond, graduating in 1961 from Midlothian High School where she was a majorette.

Brenda was a model for Miller and Rhoads. She and husband Lou moved from Richmond to Buckroe Beach and then to Gloucester County to their home on Severn Wharf Road that she loved so much, and she cherished the good neighbors and many friends she had in this community.

She was a faithful member of Union Baptist Church, the Judson Circle, working with the GAs, served on the Hospitality Committee and serving on the Disaster Relief Committee. She was very active with the disaster program, traveling all over the nation doing mission work, building homes and traveling with the youth of her church.

Brenda retired from Siemens Corporation after 25 years as a professional secretary. Brenda was a gifted organizer and was known at her job as "the Sarg." She was a member of the Red Hat ladies and a group of professional secretaries who met once a month for lunch.

She was also a founding member of several churches, Memorial Baptist, Lyndale Baptist and East Hampton Baptist. Brenda loved her family, and her passion was raising her children and spending time with her grandchildren.

Her parents, Melvin G. and Margaret B. Smith, and sister, Dale S. Outten, preceded her in death.

She is survived by husband, S. Louis "Lou" Caviness Jr.; daughters, Christine Caviness Philpott and husband David, Pamela Caviness Wright and husband Ed; grandchildren, Jennifer Nicole Wood, William Gaither Griffin Jr., Jeremy Landon Philpott, Cameron Louis Philpott; great-grandson, Michael Mathew Wood; brother, Melvin Grant Smith Jr.; sister, Deborah Smith Luck, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services conducted by the Rev. Dr. Rodney Autry and the Rev. Richard Whiteheart were held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Union Baptist Church. The family received friends Friday from 6-8 p.m. at Union Baptist Church.

A graveside committal service was held at 11 a.m. Monday in Maury Cemetery, Richmond, Va.

In memory of Brenda, gifts may be made to the American Cancer Society, c/o Mrs. G. Edward Mowry, 7274 Joseph Lewis Road, Hayes, Va. 23072.

Arrangements by Hogg Funeral Home and Crematory, Gloucester Point.