Brenda Kennard Hurtman was born to Rosemary Kennard Harris and James Harris in Malden, Missouri on April 4, 1942. She grew up in Malden and graduated from Malden High School in 1960. She remained close to many of her classmates for the rest of her life, and enjoyed participating in class reunion activities. Brenda was a retired accountant and was a member of the 1 ^st Southern Baptist Church in Malden.

Brenda was married to Harold Lancaster in September 1962, from which was born her daughter, Donya in 1964. She was later joined in marriage to Larry J. Hurtman on February 12, 1966 until his death in July of 1983. This marriage produced her sons, Larry Jr., who died in childbirth in 1967 and Michael Shane, born in 1971.

Over the course of her life, for short times she lived in several states, including Michigan, Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana. But her heart remained in Malden, where she always returned.

She later continued her education and graduated with a degree in Business Administration from Arkansas State in Jonesboro in December 1993. She also had a lifetime passion for arts and crafts, including painting, quilting and crocheting.

Later in life, in 2015, Brenda moved to Mid-Missouri to be closer to her children, living first in Brazito and finally in Columbia, where she passed away surrounded by her family on April 30, 2020 after a prolonged battle with cancer.

She is survived by her children: Donya (John) Lowrie-Langston of Holts Summit, Missouri and Michael (Claudia) Hurtman of Columbia. Four grandchildren: Chris (Niki) Lowrie of Holts Summit, Nicholas Hurtman and Austin Hurtman of Malden and Amy Row-Williams of Jefferson City. Two great-granddaughters: Halley (3) and Harper (10 months) of Holts Summit. Finally, she is survived by her brother: Aaron Harris and his family of Hot Springs, Arkansas.

On May 2, 2020, she will return to Malden one last time. She will be laid to rest in Memorial Park Cemetery in Malden after a graveside service at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, May 2, 2020 with Reverend Aulden LeBlanc officiating.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to go toward the American Cancer Society. www.cancer.org.