Brenda Ruth Bryles

Brenda Ruth (Cole) Bryles, went home to be with the Lord, peacefully on April 11, 2026 at home, in Kansas City, KS, surrounded by loved ones.  Her life was dedicated service to the Lord and to His people. She was born on December 11, 1947, at General Hospital in Kansas City, MO to Ernest Cole and Mable Louise Cole, #4 of 7 siblings.  

Brenda grew up in Kansas City. KS in the areas of 8th & Troup and 8th Parallel. She attended KCKPS schools: Dunbar, Northeast and graduated from Sumner High School, class of 1965. Brenda attended Kansas City, Kansas Community College.   

She birthed 3 biological children, Joycelyn Diane, Jana Dionne and Jason Derrick. She absolutely loved and cherished her family. She held her siblings close. She nurtured and supported her nieces and nephews. Her grandchildren were her heart and soul.   

In 1968 she began working as a telephone operator at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company.  After 7 promotions and several trainings, she was able to become the first Black female Communication Technician with the company.  Brenda retired after 44 years and received several recognitions, including one for 44 years perfect attendance!  

Brenda accepted Christ at an early age and loved studying the Bible.  She even began teaching Sunday School at 14 years old. She was heavily involved in ministry in many facets, and led as president in the majority: Usher, Missionary, Stewardess, Sunday School Teacher, Exhorter, Glory Dance Director, Girl Scout Troup Leader, Christian Youth Fellowship Director, Women’s Choir, Prayer Warrior, Playwright, Taught Discipleship Classes, Speaker for many spiritual occasions, and intercessor for many. She ministered to anyone, anywhere so that no soul would be lost.  

Brenda was an avid traveler and spent many trips driving to destinations all over the United States. She loved taking freshmen students to their dorms for college.  Her favorite place to visit was the Gulf Shores of Alabama. She was once featured in the Kansas City Star after her pen pal came to Kansas from Denmark. She was a Bibliophile, or a person who loves, collects and reads books.  She was a writer of plays and poetry and never missed writing both for each church occasion. Brenda was a devoted shopper!  She loved Jones, Metro North, Macys, QVC and Amazon.  She liked the finer things in life and kept her nails done and her hair pressed and curled. Her favorite color green stands for growth, life and restoration. She was an excellent cook specializing in fried chicken, biscuits, peach cobbler, dressing and a dish she called, “Brenda’s surprise!” She also ran BB’s Love & Care, daycare, preparing children for kindergarten.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, Meta Hightower, Teresa Adams, Carolyn Cole, Constance Cole, and Roy Glenn Cole. 

She is survived by her brother: Ernest Cole, Jr.; children: Joycelyn Strickland-Egans (Byron), Jana Ward, and Jason Bryles (Erika); Her grandchildren: Justin Strickland (Louise), Jabrea Strickland, JayVonn Lee, Annika Garcia,  Jason B. Bryles, Cole Bryles, Christopher Egans, Brandon Egans, Mario Garcia, and Jailyn Sinclair; and one great grandson, Sevyn Garcia; and a host of nieces, nephews, God-children, cousins, other relatives and friends.  

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