Brenda Caroline McCants Wildes

Brenda Caroline McCants Wildes passed away peacefully at her home in Andrews on Sunday, August 16, surrounded by her family. She was 87.

A celebration of her life will be held Wednesday, August 19 at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 10 N. Rosemary Avenue, Andrews. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the church parlor.

Born to M. Dewey McCants and Virginia Parsons McCants, Brenda spent much of her life at her family's farm, McCants Hill, in Eastern Williamsburg County. She was shaped by a generation that valued hard work, prioritized faith and family, and cared deeply for neighbors, friends, and community.

She attended Williamsburg County schools, where she excelled academically and on the basketball court. After graduating in 1957, she married Alex Wildes. Together they shared 44 happy years of marriage until his passing in 2001. They built Wildes Furniture on Morgan Avenue into a successful family business and were instrumental in founding Pinecrest Baptist Church before becoming active members of First Baptist Church. Brenda was a devoted member of the Ed Hinson Sunday School Class, enjoyed Keenager outings, and faithfully served on numerous church committees.

Brenda approached everything with determination. She managed Type 1 diabetes for most of her adult life, embracing new technologies that helped her remain active and independent. She mastered her iPhone well enough to stream old South Carolina football games on YouTube, much to her children's amusement. She took great pride in her home and garden, and at 85 even managed her own kitchen renovation, confidently directing contractors every step of the way.

Nothing brought Brenda more joy than caring for her family. She loved hosting pool parties for her grandchildren and welcoming everyone home each Christmas Eve. Whether it was a recital, ballgame, awards ceremony, birthday, graduation, or wedding, she was there. A devoted South Carolina Gamecock fan, she faithfully watched every football, basketball, and baseball game, celebrating the victories and enduring the disappointments with unwavering loyalty. She simply kept showing up, for her team and, more importantly, for the people she loved.

She is survived by her three children: Jeff (Carolyn) Wildes of Georgetown, Dianna (Gary) Deese of Leesville, and Tracy (Rodney) McCants of Andrews; seven grandchildren: Andrew (Kat) Wildes of Brooklyn, New York; Amanda (Wade) Young and Emily (Josh) King, both of Georgetown; Alexis Deese of Canterbury, England; Sara Lynn (Benji) Calderon of Lexington, SC; Rod (Mary Hurston) McCants of Spartanburg; and Robert (Kayla) McCants of Andrews. She is also survived by five great-grandchildren: Joshua King, Olivia King, Caleb King, Anthony Calderon, and Charlie Calderon; her sister-in-law, Verma McCants of Florence; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

She has gone to join her parents, her beloved husband, and her siblings: Charles (Stan) McCants, Everett (Carolyn) McCants, Dale (Margie) McCants, Ricky McCants, and Allison (Andrew) Jenkins.

The family is especially grateful for the compassionate caregivers who lovingly cared for Brenda during her final days, especially Victoria Scott and Chrissie Robinson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Andrews First Baptist Church Building & Grounds Fund or to Breakthrough T1D South Carolina, supporting research toward a cure for Type 1 diabetes.

Online condolences may be left at www.ridgewayfh.com

Ridgeway Funeral Home of Georgetown is in charge of the arrangements. (843) 485-4242