Todd and Brenda Edwards

Those wishing to view the services online, may do so at the following live stream link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NP8fYDOtwLc

The world became a little brighter on April 15, 1967, when Corwin Todd Edwards was born to Corwin and Shari Edwards in Mesa, Arizona. Not many knew at the time what an influential man he would become, but his parents knew immediately. Soon after Todd’s birth, the family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1968. The world became measurably brighter still when Brenda Lee Woods was born on October 30, 1969, to Ray and Jane Woods in Salt Lake City, just one mile from where Todd was going down slides and riding the swings at University Village. Not many knew at the time what a beloved woman Brenda would become, except for her incredible parents and older sister Vicki. Todd became a model big brother to Chris, Eric, Jennifer, and David.

Todd loved sports, especially baseball and basketball, in his early life, and later golf and running nine marathons – working toward the goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. Brenda loved her friends and crafting and became an accomplished photographer, particularly for her family and anyone’s babies. She joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 16 under the influence of her older sister Vicki and friends. Her parents later joined the Church due to the impact of their two daughters. Over the next few decades, Brenda and Todd developed into genuinely unique and notable individuals, all-time great humans, possessing the ability to impact many people in various positive ways. These two rising stars grew up very near each other in Salt Lake City; he graduated from Cottonwood High in 1985, and she graduated from Olympus High in 1987.

After high school, Todd was called to serve in the Chile Osorno Mission, where he worked dutifully, eventually serving as Assistant to the President. Meanwhile, Brenda enrolled at Brigham Young University to study. No force of nature could hold these two stars apart for long. Brenda transferred to the University of Utah, where Todd was already majoring in Finance, eventually earning an MBA. They met at an Institute of Religion function at the U of U, and then a mutual friend set them up on a first date to see the holiday lights get turned on at Temple Square. Brenda and Todd stated that they knew that night they had met the love of their life and were soon engaged and sealed together for all time and eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on July 19, 1990.

Astronomers know that when two stars collide, they form an even bigger and brighter star than either was before. This describes the union of Todd and Brenda perfectly. Other people noticed that these two were exceptional in every way: faith, intelligence, kindness, discipline, and service. Their beautiful first child Brooke was born in 1991, followed by the equally beautiful Alyssa in 1993. Their amazing son Corwin Seth came in 1997, and then they completed their glorious family unit with their beautiful daughter Camille in 2000. 

Over the years, the young family moved for Todd’s work with AT&T from Salt Lake City to Bothell, Washington, and back to Salt Lake City, then Allen, Texas, where their four children excelled in academics, dance, swimming, music, and the Tallenettes at Allen High. Brenda had the unique talent of making homes filled with love and a great sense of welcome for all. She was a fantastic cook and shared that talent with many neighbors and those in need. Brenda made holidays especially magical all year long with decorations and parties many will remember.

They were so proud when Brooke chose to serve in the Guatemala Quetzaltenango Mission. They were equally proud when Alyssa chose to serve near Brooke in the Nicaragua Managua Mission. Seth next served a mission in Brazil Sao Paulo, and who could be surprised when Camille decided she too would serve, being called to the Cincinnati, Ohio Mission.

Their daughter Alyssa married a fine man named Christian Leach from Peoria, Arizona, while studying together at BYU. Together, they gave Todd and Brenda two beautiful grandchildren, Jackson (almost 3) and Lucy (almost 1), in Mesa, AZ. Brenda and Todd moved to Mesa, Arizona, in 2019 to be closer to their family. Brooke had also relocated to Mesa, while Seth and Camille pursued university education in Utah.

Todd and Brenda believed their children were their most significant work, and if parents can be judged by the quality of their children – they must be considered amongst the most accomplished parents ever. Todd and Brenda also loved serving in the Church in various capacities; he served in several bishoprics, as Bishop in Allen, Texas; held several High Council callings, and most recently served as 2nd Counselor in the Mesa Eastmark Stake Presidency. He often described missionary work as his favorite church calling and served in the Gilbert Arizona Mission Presidency. They both believed that missionary work was a life-long calling they acted on at every chance. Brenda served in Nursery, Primary, Young Women’s, and Relief Society presidencies at different times, most recently in the Relief Society Presidency of her Inspirian Ward. Brenda and Todd showed excellence in teaching and service in every church assignment.

The family prioritized spending time together and have always been very close, traveling together often. They recently spent an entire week in a beach house in California before they and their children had to get back to work, family duties, church callings, and education. Most of the family returned to Arizona at the end of that memorable week together. However, Todd, Brenda, Brooke, and Camille chose to do a session in the San Diego Temple before returning home. Brooke decided to fly home directly afterward, to our eternal relief. Todd, Brenda, and Camille were in a terrible car accident while returning to their home in Mesa on Friday, August 19, 2022. Todd and Brenda were taken instantly and without suffering. Camille is currently fighting for her life with all the love and support of her siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and even strangers whom this great family’s circumstances have touched.

Brenda and Todd will live forever in the hearts and minds of the many fortunate people they have touched and through the good works of their children. How remarkable that Todd and Brenda’s first date was at a temple, and they spent their last day doing temple work with family. It would be hard to imagine a more prepared and faithful couple leaving this life.

Visitation
Innovation Park Building – Cultural Hall
Thursday Sept 1, 5pm-7pm
9431 E Point Twenty-Two Blvd
Mesa, AZ  85212

Funeral
Eastmark Stake Center
Friday Sept 2, 10am
10725 E Point Twenty-Two Blvd
Mesa, AZ  85212
Link to stream it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NP8fYDOtwLc

Interment
City of Mesa Cemetery
1212 N Center St, Mesa, AZ 85201

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.