Brenda Bell Crosthwaite

Brenda Bell (Wollum) Crosthwaite, a longtime resident of Garland, Texas, passed away on March 2, 2026, at the age of 75. She was born on December 3, 1950, in Bryan, Texas, to Everett Wollum and Mary Ann Wollum. As the daughter of an Air Force officer, Brenda spent her childhood moving between Bryan, Bermuda, Waco, Hawaii, and Sherman, before settling in Garland in her later years.

She graduated from Sherman High School in 1969 and earned an associate degree in science from Grayson County College in 1971. In Sherman, she married Bill Crosthwaite, and the couple shared 42 years of marriage. Together they raised their daughter, Sara.

Brenda was a devoted member of the First Christian Church of Garland for more than 30 years. She was a warm and gracious presence in the lives of those she loved, always known as the “hostess with the mostess.” She showed her affection through home-cooked meals and beautifully set tables, taking great pride in making her home a welcoming place for family and friends. A social butterfly with a gift for conversation, she turned ordinary days into special occasions and made sure no one felt like a stranger. Above all, she was a loving mother and proud Grandmommy who remained deeply involved in every aspect of her family’s lives.

Brenda is survived by her daughter, Sara Iovinelli, and Sara’s husband, Michael Wallens, of McKinney, Texas; her grandchildren, Gage Iovinelli and Gia Iovinelli, also of McKinney; her father, Everett Wollum of Sunnyvale, California; her brother, Jerry Wollum of Tracy, California; and many extended family members and friends who will cherish her memory. She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Ann Wollum.