Brenda Joyce (Legg) Blaney, 79, of Bethesda, OH, joined her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on May 18, 2024, following an extended illness. She was born on October 2, 1944, to the late R. Brooks Legg, Sr., and Monica (Moore) Legg of Indore, WV. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her infant brother, Freddrick; sister, Carolyn Cruikshank; sister-in law, Diann Legg; in-laws, Guy and June Blaney; and brother-in-law, Robert Lurvey.
Brenda graduated from Clay County High School in 1962. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education at Morris Harvey College, Charleston, WV, and later a master’s degree in Reading and Literacy at West Virginia University. She began her teaching career at Brown Elementary in Indore, and continued to teach in Covington, Va, Sherrard Elementary (Marshall County), WV Belmont Technical, St. Clairsville Oh. She loved teaching students of all ages, especially the skill and love for reading. She volunteered her teaching at local libraries to assist countless adults in learning to read and improving comprehension and fluency.
During her time at WVU, she met the love of her life, James R. Blaney. They married on February 21, 1970. Together, they built a life of faith, love and unwavering dedication to family.
Brenda’s long life is attributed to God’s amazing grace and, in part, to a medical miracle in 1957 when she had heart surgery under Dr. Blalock and Dr. Taussig at Johns Hopkins Hospital. She was only the fifth patient to undergo the surgery and the third to survive.
Brenda enjoyed spending time with Jim and their family making memories. She loved and enjoyed helping animals. As a member of her local Belmont County Cat Stray Shun organization, she and Jim rescued numerous cats and mended them back to health.
She leaves to cherish her memory her beloved husband, Jim, of 54 years; her brother, Dr. Russell B Legg, Jr of Lizemores, WV; Kenneth D. Legg (Kathy), of Indore, WV; Sister-In-Law, Patricia Lurvey of Longmont, Co, brother-in-law Teleford Cruickshank of Okeechobee, Fla, additionally, she leaves her nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly; Elaine (Bryan) Swallow, TG (Angela) Cruikshank, Carol and (Robert) Bond, Duane Legg, Jeanne (Eric) Carson, Jonathan Legg, Dr. Sally Ann (Spencer) Cruikshank-Elliott, Dr. Lydia Legg, Brooks Legg, Alexandra & Paige Cruikshank, Eric & Katelyn Bond, Patrick and Isaac Swallow, Sierra Wilson & Tyler Carson. Special adopted nieces; Rebecca (Pat) of Woodway, Tx. & Bebbie Shaver of Houston Tx.
The family will be forever grateful to the Nurses, Care Team & Residents at Montgomery Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the exceptional, loving care and friendship Brenda received.
Graveside Services will be held on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. in the Cline Family Cemetery, Indore, WV., with Doug Newell & Jonathan Bailess officiating.
