Brenda Kay Hargett
May 10, 1949 – August 8, 2026
Brenda was born May 10, 1949, to Charles Clyde and Ruth Faye née Darnall Bell. She was baptized on August 7, 1949, at Bethany Lutheran Church in St. Louis, Missouri. She confirmed her faith on May 25, 1963. Brenda attended Cleveland High School in St. Louis, Missouri, and her greatest and most proud achievement was earning her GED at the age of 32.
On June 10, 1967, she married the love of her life, John Edward Hargett. Brenda and John enjoyed 48 years of marriage. Together, they welcomed three children, Donna, Paula, and John. Brenda cherished her time as a stay-at-home mom, raising her children and caring for her family. Brenda and her late husband, John, enjoyed serving and helping those in need.
Brenda enjoyed caring for her grandsons when they were young. She was a selfless, caring, loving, compassionate, hardworking person who instilled a deep faith and strong work ethic with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed genealogy, traveling, Civil War History, and all crafts. Brenda was an accomplished seamstress. She enjoyed collecting spoons from various places, Beanie Babies, and angels. She participated in choir at various congregations and was an active member of LWML (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League). She loved coming up with service project ideas, and she sewed many patchwork quilts for LWML.
Brenda is survived by her children, Donna Schilling, Paula (Jack) Jeffcott, and John H. (Kristen) Hargett; grandchildren, John V. (Izzy) Schilling, Alex and Shawn Jeffcott, and Trace and Josh Hargett, and her brother Ron Bell, along with other relatives and friends who will miss her dearly. Brenda was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Ruth Bell, her beloved husband John Edward Hargett, and her sister-in-law, Rose Bell. Brenda was our dear aunt, great aunt, great-great aunt, sister-in-law, cousin, and friend to many.
After a brief illness, Brenda died at home on Saturday, August 8, 2026, surrounded by her family. Following this service, she will be interred at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, alongside her husband, John.
In lieu of flowers, contributions made to Jefferson Barracks Patriots Pantry or to the Peace Lutheran Church Chapter of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League
SERVICES: Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 16, at KUTIS AFFTON CHAPEL (10151 Gravois Rd., 63123) from 4:00-8:00PM and also on Monday, August 17, at Peace Lutheran Church (737 Barracksview Rd., 63125), from 9:00AM, with the funeral service beginning at 10:00AM. Interment at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.
Oh how many times as a kid did I spend the night after being at Grandma Hargett’s for chili and hot dogs. Aunt Brenda would put the girls to bed and we would sit on the couch talking until midnight. She showed she cared by spending time and giving you attention!
One way her love was shown was being able to tolerate all of us boys of the neighborhood and school. She was always so welcoming and gave us troublesome boys room for mischief and grace when we ran head on into boundaries. I spent so many days and nights there with John, she was like a second mom to me. She was and continues to be a blessing to the family and will be missed.
Julia Petrovic
I am a member of Peace LWML and enjoyed fellowship with Brenda during our meetings. I was so proud of Brenda when she agreed to attend the Missouri LWML District Convention in June 2025 as a delegate from our church, along with her daughter Paula. She seemed to enjoy it and was willing to share with us what she learned there. I always appreciated her positive attitude when it came to spiritual matters!
She is awesome lady I going to miss her alot