MARION, Ill. � Brenda Lou Johnson Miller Pirtle, 78, passed away Friday, June 29, 2018, at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion.

She was born April 11, 1940, in Cairo, Illinois, to the late Louis and Mary Johnson.

After graduation, she worked in the county clerk�s office. She married Tommy Miller. They made their home in Boynton Beach, Florida. She worked for Bethesda Hospital for 20 years. After Tommy�s and her mom�s deaths, she moved back to Cairo, where she worked as city clerk for Mayor James Wilson for nine years. She then married Lee Pirtle and moved to Chiloquin, Oregon, where she lived for eight years. After Lee Pirtle�s death, she moved to Cape Girardeau and made her home there for nine years. Due to health reasons, she moved to River to River in Ullin, Illinois, then to Marion.

Brenda loved cooking, reading and sewing. She also loved her dogs over the years. They were the love of her life. Writing poems was another one of her favorite things to do.

Brenda leaves one cousin, Kathy Tapley Hotop of Cape Girardeau; her best friend, Ruth Ashworth of Cairo; a niece, Judy Delany; and two nephews, Joe and Jeff Gange.

In addition to her two husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents.

A private inurnment will be in Mound City National Cemetery in Mound City, Illinois.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of memorials to the donor�s choice.

To leave online condolences, visit www.jones-funeral.com.

Jones Funeral Home Villa Ridge is in charge of the arrangements.