Brenda L. Jarmon
Brenda Lauren Jarmon began her earthly life journey on December 31, 1945, the second-youngest of nine children born to the late Thaddeus and Catherine Adams. She departed to her heavenly home on Sunday, July 4, 2021.
Brenda’s early years were spent in Swarthmore. She graduated from Swarthmore High School, and went on to attend Cheyney State College, where she pursued a master’s degree in elementary education. She continued her education at the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, and Wilkes College.
At the Wesley African Methodist Episcopal Church in Swarthmore, Brenda accepted the Lord as her savior. She later joined the First African Baptist Church in Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania, and was baptized by Rev. Dr. Richard A. Dent in 1989. At First African Baptist Church she served on many ministries: Heart and Hand, Generation to Generation mentoring, youth advisor, the B.W. Watkins Scholarship Ministry, and the Women’s W.I.N.G.S. Ministry. She also participated in and enjoyed monthly visits to the Presbyterian Nursing Home accompanied by young people from the church. For years, she was instrumental in securing prominent (and not so prominent) speakers to talk to the youth of First African.
On April 30, 1966, Brenda married Vernal Jarmon, the love of her life. Though they were not to be blessed with children of their own, they had an abundance of love and support from nieces, nephews, and children of their friends. Brenda and Vernal often adopted complete families for the Christmas holidays and sponsored many children in youth retreats.
Brenda was a loving and devoted wife, sister, friend, and educator. Teaching was her gift—one she approached with great excitement. Until her health declined, she thoroughly enjoyed the 21 years she spent at the William Penn School District helping and encouraging students to reach their full potential. She received many awards, including the Outstanding Teachers of America award in 1976. Brenda was instrumental in planning the First Intergroup Relations Student Retreat with the Philadelphia School District. She served on the Intergroup Relations Commission, which promoted human-relations support activities in the William Penn School District.
After retirement, Brenda served on the board of the Women’s Alternatives (WAWA), which later became Pathways PA. In 2000, Brenda received an outpouring of love from those who attended an affair that had been planned by her sister to pay tribute to her.
Though Brenda experienced many health challenges through the years (syringomyelia, Arnold-Chiari, and more recently, multiple sclerosis), she never grumbled or complained about her obvious discomforts or let them stop her from living. She never dwelt on sickness or pain. Having never known a pain-free day her entire life, she had a spirit and will to drive herself through all of life’s trials and tribulations. To many who knew Brenda, she was an inspiration and a joy to be around. People loved her sense of humor.
Brenda was predeceased by her parents, Thaddeus and Catherine Adams, her sister Dolores Baughn, and her brother Carroll.
Left to cherish her memory is her devoted husband of 55 years, Vernal; sisters Phyllis Browner of Los Angeles, California, Gwendolyn Johnston (Raymond) of Swarthmore, Barbara Rickards of Yeadon, Pennsylvania, and Arlis J. Smith (George) of Philadelphia; brothers Thaddeus Adams (Beverly) of Wallingford, and Arnold Adams (Doris) of Swarthmore; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
