Brenda Joyce Wiygul Montgomery Chambliss, 70, overcame her valiant battle with ovarian cancer on Monday, November 21, 2016. Born September 25, 1946, Brenda was a 1964 graduate of Starkville High School. In 1966, she was named Miss Starkville and represented her city in the Miss Mississippi Pageant where she was named second runner-up. In 1968, she was selected as Mississippi's Miss Hospitality. As the state's ambassador for hospitality and goodwill, she traveled over 50,000 miles across the United States. She was a true Southern Belle, always graceful and known for her smile, sense of humor, and passion for pleasing others.

She earned her bachelor's degree from Mississippi State University in 1972 with a dual degree in Music and Voice and a minor in business. At MSU, she performed with the Madrigals musical group and she honed her talent on the piano. For 18 years, she shared her love of music with hundreds of young students. She loved teaching piano and often spoke on how rewarding it was to see many of her students develop an appreciation of music as an art.

Brenda was the owner of Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio and Alma's Attic, a unique gift shop named after her mother, Alma Grace. She bought the business in 1977, and spent 40 years helping women find beauty not only through cosmetics but from within. Those who knew her recognized that her incredible outer beauty was a mere reflection of her kind soul that lovingly served others all the days of her life. She retired in 2011 to spend more time on her other passions which included playing with her grandchildren and puppy, Bitty, traveling to the Smoky Mountains, gardening, cooking, collecting antiques, and reading.

Brenda was a member of First Baptist Church of Starkville and the Mary/Martha Sunday School class. She always credited her abiding faith in God and the love of family and friends as the greatest gifts a person can receive in life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alma Grace and Viron Omer (V.O.) Wiygul.
She is survived by her husband, David Chambliss and son, John Prate Montgomery, Jr., and his wife Melissa Elizabeth (Wolfe) Montgomery. The light of her life were her two grandchildren, Madeline Grace, born March 21, 2006 and John Nathaniel "Nathan", born May 6, 2008. She is also survived by her sister, Ginger Wiygul Carver and her husband Jimmy, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted at First Baptist Church in Starkville, MS on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at 10:00 a.m., with visitation just prior to the service from 9:00- 10:00 a.m. Rev. Clifton Curtis and Rev. Glenn Wiygul officiating. Interment will follow at Wiygul Cemetery at the Carolina community near Nettleton, MS.

Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church Children's Ministry Fund at First Baptist Church, 106 E. Lampkin St., Starkville, MS 39759.

Pallbearers will be: Jason Todd Williams, Jeffrey Scott Williams, Benjamin Carver, Jesse Carver, Aaron Carver, and Jonathan Wolfe.

Honorary Pallbearers will be: Jimmy Carver, and Albert Wolfe.