Lela Mae Brandenburg

Lela Smith Brandenburg, 83, went to be with her Savior on July 21, 2014. She suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease but remained strong in her faith with a sweet and gentle spirit to the end.

Lela was born to the late Roy and Maude Smith on January 24, 1931 in Corbin, Kentucky.

Lela graduated from Anderson High School in 1950. Lela was 17 when she met and fell in love with Darrell Brandenburg at Bethel Methodist Church, where she had been invited by her best friend. They were married 18 months later on June 18, 1950 and demonstrated a godly marriage for 64 years. He survives along with their children, Tonya (Doug) York and Linda (Mark) Nuce; sisters, Naomi (Smith) Scales and Louise Smith (Phillip) Brewer, from the Anderson and Muncie area; several grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son, Tim Brandenburg. Lela was an extraordinary wife, mother and grandmother, who instilled godly principles and unconditional love. There was no sacrifice too great when it came to caring for her family.

Lela was a member of Edgewood Baptist Church where she and her family attended for 50 years and was taught God’s truth that she applied to her life. For 35 years she was supervisor of the infant nursery and cared for all of the infants that attended. She worked for Delco Remy for 7 years before she devoted herself to creating a loving and happy home. Once her children were raised she worked at First Step which was an organization for handicapped children.

Lela had an unwavering faith, infectious laughter, and great sense of humor. Her hobbies were sewing, rocking babies, walking, shopping and eating out. She greatly loved her children and grandchildren with quick advice and wisdom to give. She always kept her pockets filled with Chap Stick, mints and change in case they needed a snack.

She spoke with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. Her children rise up and call her blessed her husband also and praised her. Many women do noble things but you surpass them all-Proverbs 31:26-29. Well done thou good and faithful servant.

Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 23 at Brown-Butz-Diedring Funeral Service & Crematory, with Pastor Tom Lutz officiating. Burial will be at Anderson Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 22 at the funeral home.

We wish to thank Hospice from St. Vincent’s Anderson Hospital, especially Tara, Kandy, Susan, and the girls. You’ve been such a source of comfort in this struggle to the end. We also wish to thank her sister, Naomi Scales, Beckisue Knight, granddaughters, Sandy Fiscal and Jill Bannon in willingness to help us care for her. Without you all, we wouldn’t have been able to keep her home.