Brenda Jean Graves Hair, 74, of Charlottesville, VA, passed away peaceably on Wednesday April 16, 2025, in Rosewood Village Assisted Living, Hollymead with family by her side. It is with sad hearts we say goodbye.

Brenda, the oldest of four girls, was born on April 30, 1950, to the late George Milton and Joan Graves in Charlottesville. She graduated from Albemarle High School, Longwood College (BS in BusEd) and James Madison University (M.S.Ed.).

Brenda spent most of her life in the Charlottesville area including teaching at AHS (1972-1987) before moving to Maryland with her husband Gordon. She continued teaching in Maryland and their only son Benjamin Gordon Hair was born in 1988. She became active in local swim organizations as Benjamin learned to swim and compete. In 2001, the family moved back to Charlottesville to be closer to family and Brenda’s roots. AHS was happy to welcome her back in a new role as “the attendance lady” as well as study hall facilitator and substitute teacher.

Brenda believed that education was the key to success and that every child deserved the very best education possible. She strived to teach the necessary skills to each of her students. She always said how satisfying it was to her when years later former students would stop and thank her for what she did for them. She said, “It’s nice to know that I made a difference.”

Brenda was preceded in death by her parents and beloved son Benjamin. She is survived by her loving husband of 40 years, Gordon R. Hair; sisters Valerie Roadman, Stacey Liljegren and Donna Fredrick; as well as nephew John T. Liljegren, his wife Jasveen Kaur and their two children. She also leaves behind extended family and friends.

Though the last years were difficult, Brenda will be remembered for her strong support of the local swim community; especially, Ch’ville Parks and Rec, YMCA, JSL, AHS, Elks Club and the Ben Hair Just Swim for Life Foundation.

We hope her memory brings a smile to the faces of all that knew her. She was a wonderful wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, teacher and friend. She will be missed by all.

A memorial service will be held at Teague Funeral Home, 2260 Ivy Rd, Charlottesville, on Thursday, July 24th at 11:00 am, with visitation at 10:00 am. Rev. Roger Browning officiating.

Brenda will be laid to rest next to Benjamin in a private family interment at Monticello Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Ben Hair Just Swim for Life Foundation (https://www.bhjsl.org or BH-JSL, 2830 Watts Passage, Charlottesville, VA 22911).

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the support of friends who visited Brenda, the staff at Sentara MJH Cancer Center, and the staff at Rosewood Village, Hollymead and Trinity Hospice.

Submitted by Donna Fredrick.