Brenda Rentz

Brenda Gail Varnadore Rentz, 71, of Waycross, Georgia, entered into eternity Sunday (September 7, 2025) after an extensive illness.  She was born in Alma, Georgia, to Adrian “Buddy” Varnadore and Aline Yawn Varnadore. She was the baby of six siblings: one brother, Olan, and four sisters, Eula, Patsy, Christine, and Nina. The family made their living mostly in the agricultural and industrial trades. Brenda is a graduate of Bacon County High School, class of 1972, and Valdosta State College, class of 1982. She later received both a Master's and a Specialist degree in Early Childhood Education.  She was the wife of Joseph Anthony “Tony” Rentz (54 years), and they have three children, Anthony, Eric, and Laura. Brenda made her living as an educator to elementary school students, teaching in Bacon County and later in Ware County. The bulk of her career (26 years) was spent teaching third grade at Wacona Elementary School in Waycross. She was passionate about educating young minds and always found a way to make learning fun and exciting for those she taught. Many regarded her as their “favorite teacher ever.” Throughout her career, she was cited many times for her excellence in education, and many of her students have gone on to have great success in life.  Her primary devotion was always to her family. Tony, an executive with The Jones Company, had both a breadwinner and a homemaker all in one. They raised their children to be exceptional, and all three of them are university graduates and successful in the trades they have chosen. Her days were filled with getting her children to band, sports, and drama practices, and lots of church activities. She was known for always being busy with her work and her family.  Aside from her obligations, Brenda loved to have “a good time.” She was the bright spot at every gathering, and she was known for her wit and her big personality! So many people truly regard her as their “best friend.” She was the “favorite aunt” to several nieces and nephews, and everyone had lots of laughs when she was around. She loved cooking, reading, traveling (especially to the beach), and serving in her church. She was active at Central Baptist Church in Waycross throughout most of her life, and she engaged in several ministries, including hospitality committees, choir, and youth group.  Since retirement, Brenda has enjoyed being a world traveler, and she and Tony have been able to visit numerous countries. After purchasing an RV, they made it a goal to travel coast to coast and visit all fifty states, and it became an accomplishment they were both very proud of. She has also enjoyed being a grandma to her ten grandchildren, and she made it a point to attend as many ballgames, award ceremonies, graduations, and special events as possible to show her love and support for them.

She is survived by her husband, Tony of Waycross, her two sons, Anthony (Chrissie) Rentz of Clover, South Carolina, and Eric (Sandi) Rentz of Blackshear, Georgia, and one daughter Laura (Robby) Setser, also of Waycross, one sister Nina (Terry) Bryant of Mershon, Georgia, ten grandchildren, Seth, Caroline, Garrison, Caleb, Greyson, Lydia, Aidan, Ethan, Emma, and Aaron (Christian), and one great granddaughter, Nora, many nieces and nephews and a host of other family and friends. She was a member of Briarwood Baptist Church in Blackshear, Georgia.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday (September 10, 2025) at Briarwood Baptist Church.  Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery.  The family will receive friends 5 until 7 p.m. Tuesday at Music Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Hospice Satilla and Briarwood Baptist Church.

Active Pallbearers: Aaron Pitts, Seth Rentz, Garrison Rentz, Caleb Rentz, Greyson Rentz, Aidan Setser, and Ethan Setser.

Honorary Pallbearers: Young at Heart Sunday School Class and former co-workers, retirees, and active faculty of Wacona Elementary School. 

Family and friends may sign the online register at www.howardfuneralga.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Music Funeral Home of Waycross.

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