Brenda Cates Obituary

Mrs. Brenda Joyce Pickett Cates age 81, of Ooltewah, TN, passed away on Sunday, May 7th, 2023. Mrs. Cates was born in Whitwell, TN, on August 4, 1941, the daughter of the late Henry Jewell "Dude" Pickett and Leoka Pickett Denton. She was a member of Brainerd Hills Baptist Church and Lookout Valley Eastern Star. Mrs. Cates was a personnel manager for Zayre's Department Store for twenty-four years and retired from the State of Tennessee Department of Revenue. She loved being with her family. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Cates was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-five years; a baby daughter, Rhonda Cates; sister, Onita Davis and four brothers, Ralph, Jeff, Wendell, and Vernon Pickett. Those who are left to cherish her memories are two sons, Roger D. Cates (Sherri) and Rickey D. Cates (Pam); four grandchildren, Ashley Commander (Chad), Riley Cates (Leighanna Paige), Brittany Pulliam (Damon), and Carson Cates; six great-grandchildren, Jackson, Ella, Brooklyn, Ruby, Oliver, and Sawyer; and three sisters, Glenda Evans (Jack), Lemma Brackett (Jim), and Mona Lisa Hudson; brother, Virgil Pickett (Diane); special nephew, David Geren (Laura); and lifelong friends, Jim and Betty Renner. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Visit the online obituary www. heritagechattanooga. com to post tributes and share memories. Arrangements by Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Chapel.