Brenda Roper Kuntzelman, 70, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta after a long battle with cancer.
Brenda was born January 2, 1952, in Monticello, Georgia to the late James Verlin and Minnie Roper. She was the youngest girl and second youngest sibling of eight.
Brenda graduated from Monticello High School in 1970. She later moved to Eatonton, Georgia and made her home there for the remainder of her life. Brenda worked in several areas of Eatonton/ Putnam County shortly after moving there. She then spent 10 plus years of her working career serving her community in the Drivers License Division of the Georgia State Patrol. After leaving the State Patrol, Brenda became a certified phlebotomist and devoted the next 22 years to taking great care of many patients at Oconee Regional Medical Center. She retired from ORMC in July 2020. Brenda was also highly involved with The Pilot Club of Eatonton for several years and even served as an officer. Brenda developed many lifelong friendships through each of her careers and her time with service organizations and was known as being a very kind, caring and compassionate person who never complained and always had a smile on her face.
Brenda met Steve Kuntzelman in 1999 and they were married in 2012. She was devoted to her husband who was equally devoted to her, especially during the many years of her cancer battles. They loved spending time together and with their dogs, Neek and Belle, that they had through the years. Brenda was also extremely devoted to her son, daughter-in-law and two grandsons, as well as the rest of her large family. She proudly cheered on and supported her son and then her grandsons in a multitude of different sporting events or anything they had a part of. Brenda also loved traveling to see her brothers and sisters and their families.
Brenda was preceded in death by her parents; her twin sister, Linda (who died shortly after birth); three brothers-in-law, Joe Massey, Hardy Ogletree, and Ron Whitton; her sister and brother-in-law, Juanita and Kenneth Fowler and her brother and sister-in-law, Marvin and Cindy Roper.
Brenda is survived by her husband, Steve, of Eatonton; her son, Kevin Carnes (Mandy) and her Grandsons, Chase and Jake, all of Greensboro. She is also survived by her siblings: Joyce Roper of Marietta, Pat Massey of Monticello, Lolita Whitton of Macon, Royce Roper (Sue) of Macon, and Willard Roper (Mary Ann) of Ellaville. Several beloved nieces, nephews, great nephews, great nieces and even 4 great-great nephews and 1 great-great niece also survive her.
A Celebration of Life/ Memorial service is planned for Saturday, July 23, 2022 at Grace Baptist Church, 163 Greensboro Rd., Eatonton, Ga. Visitation with the family will be at the church from 11:00 am-12:00 pm with the service immediately following. The family will have a private burial after the service.
The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Cancer Society or a Charity of your choice in honor of Brenda.