Obituary: Brenda Sugg McKeel
Mrs. Brenda Sugg McKeel, age 83, passed away peacefully on Friday evening, November 28, 2025, surrounded by her family on the farm where she was born, raised, and lived throughout her life. Born on August 12, 1942, she was the beloved daughter of Fred and Catherine Everett Sugg.
A lifelong member of Wheat Swamp Christian Church, Brenda’s faith was a cornerstone of her life from childhood onward. On August 30, 1959, she married Paul McKeel, Jr., with whom she shared more than 44 wonderful years until his passing in 2003. Together, they built a home that became a gathering place for family and friends alike. As their daughters grew, Sunday night dinners at the McKeels became a cherished tradition—Paul tending the grill, Brenda preparing the sides, and often more than 30 guests sharing in food, laughter, and fellowship.
A proud native of Lenoir County, Brenda was known in her youth as an avid softball player and later dedicated many years to coaching the sport. Professionally, she owned and operated McKeel Insurance Agency for 23 years before spending nine years at UNC Lenoir in the Emergency Department Admissions, where her warm smile and gentle nature brought comfort to countless individuals in moments of need. Though an only child, Brenda often spoke of how richly blessed she felt by the abundance of family and friends in her life—daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and so many others she loved dearly. Her oldest granddaughter gave her the name “Ma Brenda” and from then forward, it was how everyone referred to her.
Those left to cherish her memory include her daughters, Shannan King and husband Erik of Pink Hill, and Paula Fay Davenport and husband Wade of Kinston; grandchildren, Heather Rouse and husband Cliff of Kinston, Jordan Davenport and wife Katie of Grifton, and Kelly Ashlyn Taylor and fiancé Tim Rackley of Kinston; great-grandchildren, Reagan Rouse, Ella Rouse, Emma Rouse, Sawyer Davenport, Shepherd Davenport, and soon-to-arrive Sadie Davenport. Also surviving are brothers-in-law, Michael McKeel and wife Toni of Wilson, and Jerry McKeel and wife Annette of Stella; sister-in-law, Dean Hall of Charlotte; special friends, Jerry Powell, Lynn Sutton, Grace Parrott, and Lou Smith; special cousins, Helen Wainwright and Cathy Bass; along with several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, December 1st, at the Chapel of Taylor-Tyson Funeral Service, with Pastors Hank Jarman and Allen Ham officiating. Interment will follow immediately at Westview Cemetery in Kinston.
The family will receive friends on Monday in the hour prior to the service from 1:00 – 1:50 PM and other times at the home of Wade and Paula Fay Davenport.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are encouraged to Wheat Swamp Christian Church, 3732 Wheat Swamp Road, La Grange, NC 28551.
Condolences may be expressed at www.taylor-tyson.com
