Brenda Kay Johnston Harris, age 71 of Ruston, LA was born February 25, 1951 in Choudrant, LA to Frances and Billy Neal Johnston, and she peacefully joined the Lord January 22, 2023 with her loved ones by her side. She was affectionately known as "Mammaw" by her grandchildren. Brenda spent most of her life working in retail until her health would no longer allow her to work. She loved to grow flowers and plants, to crochet and cross-stitch and to work crossword puzzles and word searches. Her love of history and interest in her ancestors had Brenda spending countless hours at the library where she conducted research on her family's heritage. She loved to read, and she especially loved to read war history books. Brenda loved to spend time with her granddaughter having tea parties, putting puzzles together, coloring and watching cartoons. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers: Billy Neal Johnston, Jr., Jerry Johnston, Johnny Johnston and Reagan Johnston; sister Betty Sue Boyte; and brothers-in-law Carl Calhoun and Dennis Boyte.

Brenda is survived by her daughters Amy and husband Chris Brister of Dubberly, LA and Kimberly Harris of Ruston; grandsons Noah Odom and fiancée Cynthia Crowell of Slidell, LA and Jacob Odom of DeRidder, LA; granddaughter Abigail Campbell of Ruston; sister Nancy Calhoun of Dubach, LA; brother Robert Johnston and wife Susie of Choudrant; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of family and friends.

Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 PM, Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Ruston.