Brenda Swanson Bartles, age 81, of Lenoir, North Carolina passed away on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at Amorem Hospice of Hudson.

Brenda was born on September 15, 1944 in Caldwell County to the late Richard Durham Swanson and Kathleen McMurray Swanson.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Ernest Clyde Bartles and her sister, Martha Rebecca Davis.

Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Lance David Bartles; brother-in-law, Robert Davis; sister-in-law, Catherine Pressley and her husband Dr. Stephen Pressley; grandchildren, Logan Bartles and Sawyer Bartles; and a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Brenda completed mission work around the world with her husband. She especially loved visiting the Holy Land. In addition to traveling for mission work, she loved to travel with her family. Brenda was very active in her church, Lower Creek Baptist Church and later, Lenoir First Wesleyan Church. Alongside her husband, she taught Sunday School and Bible Study. She rejoiced in sharing her love of the Lord with others.

Brenda obtained her Master's Degree in Education from Appalachian State University. She taught first grade for more than 35 years at Lower Creek School. While teaching was Brenda's passion, she also had a green thumb. She loved flowers and loved tending to her flower beds.

A funeral service to honor Brenda Bartles' life will be held on Monday, April 20, 2026 at 2 PM at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Stephen Pressley and Reverend James Baker officiating.

The family will receive visitors one hour prior to the service from 1 PM until 2 PM at the funeral home.

Burial at Blue Ridge Memorial Park Cemetery will immediately follow the service.

Serving as pallbearers will be Logan Bartles, Sawyer Bartles, Scott Chatlin, James Davis, and Ben Wooten.

Flowers may be sent to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in Brenda's honor to Amorem Hospice located at 902 Kirkwood St NW, Lenoir, NC 28645.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com.

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family.