Brenda Stalsworth Persons

Brenda Stalworth Persons, age 75, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on June 15, 2026. Born on September 16, 1950, in Virginia, Brenda was the beloved daughter of Annemarie Neff Stalsworth and the late Master Sergeant Morris Lee Stalsworth, and the devoted sister of Morris Lee Stalsworth, Jr.

Brenda lived a full and meaningful life shaped by family, service, travel, creativity, and love. Growing up in Virginia, Japan, and France, she developed a deep appreciation for people and places that stayed with her throughout her life. She attended Frances C. Hammond High School in Alexandria, Virginia, and later was an honor graduate from the Washington School for Secretaries. As the daughter of an Army servicemember and later as the wife of LTC Henry Wellborn Persons, Jr., Brenda’s life was closely connected to military service. She and Henry shared 55 years of marriage and built a life together that took them across the United States and abroad, including two stays in Germany totaling just over six years.

Together, Brenda and Henry raised three children—John (Hilary), Richard (Kristy), and Stephanie (Bryan)—who were the pride of her life. Her joy only deepened with the arrival of her eight grandchildren: Bradley, Alyssa, Julie, Trevor, Taylor, Bryan, Hannah, and Alex, each of whom she adored wholeheartedly. Above all, Brenda was devoted to her family. She supported her three children well into adulthood and attended every grandchild’s event she could—from sporting events and musicals to chorus concerts, Girl Scout ceremonies, and graduations. You could always count on Brenda’s smiling face in the crowd.

A proud civil servant, Brenda retired from the Department of the Army as a Supervisory Personnel Security Specialist, where she was consistently recognized for her excellence, professionalism, and dedication. Her integrity and sharp mind left a lasting mark on her colleagues. In a testament to her expertise, Brenda and two retired coworkers were invited to appear on the national television program 60 Minutes for a segment related to security clearance matters within the Department of the Army.

In retirement, Brenda and Henry embraced the world with curiosity and enthusiasm. Their travels included China—where she visited Shanghai, sailed up the Yangtze River, walked the Great Wall, and saw the Forbidden City—as well as Hungary, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, France, Bosnia, Norway, and Sweden. These journeys brought her immense joy and broadened the tapestry of memories she carried with her.

At home, Brenda found peace and artistry in sewing. She would spend hours in her sewing room bringing her creativity to life, displaying her work at local craft fairs or generously giving her creations as gifts to friends and family. Nowhere was that passion more evident than in mentoring her granddaughters—she even sewed the patches for one granddaughter’s entire Girl Scout Troop. Brenda was truly selfless with her time and her talents.

Those who knew Brenda will remember her as loving, quick-witted, funny, strong, generous, creative, and fiercely independent. She had a way of making people feel deeply cared for—through her steady presence, thoughtful gifts, sharp humor, and unwavering devotion. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness, strength, and a life lived with purpose and heart.

Brenda is survived by her husband of 55 years, LTC Henry Wellborn Persons, Jr.; her children, John Persons, Richard Persons, and Stephanie Persons Millward; her children’s spouses, Hilary Dawn Persons, Kristy Hope Persons, and Bryan Michael Millward Sr.; her grandchildren, Bradley Persons, Alyssa Millward, Julie Millward, Trevor Persons, Taylor Persons, Bryan Millward Jr., Hannah Persons, and Alex Persons; her mother, Annemarie Neff Stalsworth; and her brother, Morris Lee Stalsworth, Jr. She was preceded in death by her father, Master Sergeant Morris Lee Stalsworth.

Visitation will be held on Friday, June 26th, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, June 27th, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., at Donaldson Funeral Home, P.A. 313 Talbott Avenue, Laurel, Maryland.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 27th, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be private for family only. Flowers are welcome.