Brenda Hilliard Woods

OPELOUSAS- A Funeral Service will be held for Brenda Woods on Sunday, April 26, 2026 at 1:15 p.m. in the Sibille Funeral Home Chapel of Opelousas. Fr. Clint Trahan will conduct the service. Fr. Clint Trahan will recite the rosary at 1: 00 p.m. with the funeral service to follow. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of services in the Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas.

Brenda Hilliard Woods, born on April 11, 1956, in the warm and vibrant town of Opelousas, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on April 22, 2026, at The Calcutta House, surrounded by her loving family. Her life was a tapestry woven with love, creativity, and an enduring devotion to those she cherished.

Brenda is survived by her son, John Jacob Woods of Leonville; daughters, Michelle Renee Fontenot of Leonville, Jade Woods Guise of Port Barre, and Amber Lea Stelly of Grapeland, TX; brothers, David Hilliard, Clifford John Hilliard, Jr. and Christopher Blaine Sonnier; sisters, Phyllis Hilliard Budd, Catherine Hilliard Nepveaux, Carol Sue Arnaud and Ella Faith Hilliard Tejera; 9 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

Brenda is preceded in death by her husband, John Stanley Woods; parents, Clifford John Hilliard and Leola Stelly Sonnier; her brother, John Randy Hilliard and her sister, Dorothy Hilliard Martinez.

A graduate of T.H. Harris Trade School, where she honed her skills in business administration, Brenda first stepped into the professional world working for an insurance company. However, it was when she married Big John that her role blossomed into that of a steadfast homemaker and devoted partner. She was not only the heart of their home but also the steady hand behind the scenes, assisting her husband as his secretary. Through meticulous care, she managed paperwork, payroll, taxes, estimates, and bids, ensuring the smooth operation of his business with quiet determination.

Brenda’s hands told stories of creativity and love. She was a masterful seamstress who lovingly crafted every Halloween costume for her children. Her passion for the holidays was unmatched; Christmas was a season she celebrated with delicate artistry, painting and glazing ceramic Christmas villages, bringing to life every tiny figure and little roof with exquisite detail. Wooden Christmas ornaments blossomed under her brush with intricate designs that spoke of tender joy. Valentine’s Day was another opportunity for Brenda to express her affection—she lovingly created valentine’s hearts trimmed with lace and flowers for Big John and each of her children, placing them thoughtfully for them to find, turning simple moments into cherished memories.

Beyond her artistry in fabric and clay, Brenda found solace and expression through sewing, clay sculpting, and pottery—hobbies that mirrored the patient and nurturing spirit at the core of her being.

Her passing leaves a void felt deeply by those fortunate to have known her gentle strength and boundless creativity. Brenda Hilliard Woods was a woman whose life was painted with kindness, skill, and a tender commitment to family. Her legacy lives on in the costumes she stitched, the ornaments she painted, and the love she so gracefully wove into every day. She will be remembered, loved, and forever missed.

Words of Comfort to the family may be expressed at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas.