Brenda Kaye Palmer Apple, 79, died Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, at Beacon Place, Greensboro, after 2 1/2 years of declining health. 

A native of Lexington, NC, she was born Oct. 18, 1946, to John Filmore and Clara Faye Hedrick Palmer. Brenda was preceded in death by her parents and brother, John Wayne Palmer. 

Brenda lived most of her life in Gibsonville and was married to Curtis Apple for 59 years. They met at Apple’s Chapel Christian Church through mutual friends and married July 16, 1967, at Cotton Grove United Methodist Church. 

A graduate of Central Davidson High School and the Technical College of Alamance (now Alamance Community College), Brenda had a lengthy career as a dental assistant in both Alamance and Guilford counties. She loved helping people beautify their smiles and had a lovely smile herself.

Following her career as a dental assistant, Brenda served as a substitute teacher, Starbucks barista at Harris Teeter and worked in a variety of retail roles, including Sears inside Holly Hill Mall. 

She instilled a love of reading in both her daughter, Charity, and grandsons, Bret and Gable. 

During the family’s annual summer trip to White Lake (to celebrate their wedding anniversary), she could be spotted sitting in a chair under a Spanish moss tree, with a good book (or magazine) in her hands. 

Brenda loved her family fiercely and was particularly fond of her “grand boys.” She was extremely proud of the young men they’ve become. 

She is survived by husband, Curtis, of the home; daughter, Charity Apple Pierce (Lee); grandsons, Bret and Gable Pierce; two sisters, Priscilla Graham (Pat) and Linda Raby; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Billy and Griselda Apple; eight nephews, Kevin Apple, Roger Apple (Rachelle), Tim Apple, Jonathan Graham (Sara), Dr. James Hedrick (Jean), Dean Palmer, Bobby Raby and Curtis York; and six nieces, Shanna Easter (Henry), Mary Lowe, Susan Martin, Rebecca Rolfe (Thaddeus); Karen Schneiberg (Larry), Karen York and several great nieces and nephews. 

Brenda enjoyed going to “Mountain Airy” with her family and breakfasts/lunches at Pete’s Grill in Gibsonville and other local restaurants. Every contest Brenda entered, she won, amassing prizes from gift cards to TVs and appliances. Sadly, she never bought a lottery ticket. For if she had, she surely would have won! 

She was a member of Cotton Grove United Methodist Church in Lexington and Apple’s Chapel Christian Church and served as a Vacation Bible School volunteer when her grandsons were younger. 

Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, at Apple’s Chapel Christian Church, 7345 N.C. Hwy 61 North, Gibsonville. The service will be at 2 p.m. with Pastor Dave Johnson and the Rev. Allen E. Myers officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. 

The family would like to thank caregivers Kathy Rogers and April Turbeville; the staff at ARMC (especially Dr. A); and AuthoraCare Collective (home hospice and Beacon Place staff) for their loving care of their wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. And a special thank you to friends, neighbors and family members who supported Brenda and Curtis, through acts of kindness during this challenging time. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Apple’s Chapel Christian Church (Mobile Meals), 7345 N.C. Hwy. 61 North, Gibsonville, N.C. 27249; AuthoraCare Collective, 2504 Summit Ave., Greensboro, N.C. 27405; and Cotton Grove United Methodist Church, 175 Jersey Church Rd., Lexington, N.C. 27292 or to a charity of your choice.