BRENDA CAROL MCTIGUE DITTO

Beloved wife, cherished mother, adored grandmother, precious sister, aunt, niece and friend, Brenda Carol McTigue Ditto, received her Heavenly Reward December 14, 2021, at 10:46 p.m. after a noble and courageous battle with Early Onset Alzheimer's.

Born on October 19, 1950, in Charleston, Missouri, Brenda was the first-born child of the late Marshall Fremont and Bennie Sue McIlroy McTigue.  A Polio survivor in youth, Brenda developed a compassionate spirit at a young age.  She was selfless, kind, loving, nurturing, and someone whom family and friends could count on good and bad times.

In June of 1968, Brenda married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Bobby Gene Ditto, who survives of the home.  Together, Brenda and Bobby created a blessing-filled life on a foundation of hard work, mutual respect, and unending love.  No matter the task, they supported each other's efforts every step of the way. Included in the blessings of their union were their children - Tammy (Bobby) Carlyle, Emily (Kyle) Rodgers, and Carrie Ditto Rayburn; and, their pride and joy - their four grandchildren:  Mary Grace Carlyle, Quentin Ray Carlyle, Gavin Wayne Rayburn and Jaylen Carol Rodgers.

Brenda attended elementary school in Anniston, was a 1968 graduate of East Prairie High School, and had worked in administrative services and bookkeeping for Mississippi County Savings and Loan, McTigue Heating and Cooling, McTigue Ready Mix, and McTigue Construction Company before she and Bobby started their own businesses, Bob Ditto Construction and B&B Rental Properties.  Managing those businesses from a home office allowed Brenda's nurturing spirit to shine.  As a devoted mother and doting Nana, she was always actively involved in her children's and grandchildren's' lives.  If there was an activity in which her children or grandchildren were involved, Brenda was the loudest and proudest in the stands.  If there was a need for a volunteer to support their programs of interest, she was the first to raise her hand.  Brenda had served as Girl Scout Leader, Girl Scout Cookie Sales Manager, and Girl Scout Day Camp Director, as well as a youth league cheer sponsor and Project Graduation coordinator.  A devout and born-again Christian, Brenda also gladly assisted in various capacities at her church, First Christian Church of East Prairie, including serving as a youth group leader, nursery attendant, and refreshment chair at Vacation Bible School

While the world is darker without her light, Brenda's spirit will remain alive through loved ones she leaves behind, including her devoted husband, Bobby Gene Ditto; her daughters and sons-in-law, Tammy and Bobby Ray Carlyle, Jr. of East Prairie, Emily and Kyle Rodgers of Sikeston, and Carrie Ditto Rayburn of Gulf Breeze, Florida; her grandchildren, Mary Grace Carlyle of Springfield, Missouri, Quentin Ray Carlyle of Columbia, Missouri, Gavin Wayne Rayburn of Gulf Breeze, Florida, and Jaylen Carol Rodgers of Sikeston; one brother and sister-in-law, Robert Don (Bobby) and Rhonda McTigue of East Prairie; one sister-in-law, Carlotta McTigue of East Prairie; one sister and brother-in-law, Michelle and Cullan Duke of Camp Point, Illinois; her nieces and nephews; her aunts, uncles and cousins.

Brenda was welcomed into Heaven by her loving father and mother, Marshall Fremont and Bennie Sue McIlroy McTigue; her dear brother, Waymon Marshall "Monty" McTigue; her paternal grandparents, Waymon and Ollie Mae Helms McTigue; and her maternal grandparents, Prentice and Mary Sue Bone McIlroy.

A celebration of Brenda's life will be held at the First Christian Church in East Prairie with visitation on Monday, December 20, 2021 after 5:00 p.m.

Funeral Services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at the church, with the pastor, Martin Lucas officiating.   Fred Girdwood will assist.

Interment will follow in the Dogwood Cemetery.

Honored pallbearers will be:  her sons-in-law Bobby Carlyle, Jr. and Kyle Rodgers; her grandsons Quentin Carlyle and Gavin Rayburn; her brother Bobby McTigue; her brother-in-law Cullan Duke; her nephews Marshall Prentice McTigue, Chandler Fremont McTigue, Travis Duke; and great nephew Finn Silman.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions in Brenda's honor be made to Alzheimer's Foundation of America (alzfdn.org).

McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com