Brenda Joyce (Smith) McElwain, 73 of Wheeling, formerly of Martins Ferry passed away, Tuesday, October 27th, 2026, at Wheeling Hospital surrounded by her family. She was born on November 22, 1952, in Martins Ferry, the daughter of the late William T., Sr. and Ruby E. (Jones) Smith.

Brenda was a retired Home Health Aide working for Alternative Home Health Agency. She was Protestant by faith. Brenda will be remembered for her lively spirit, her unyielding kindness and care on the lives she touched. Her legacy of love and laughter will endure in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. She was a woman of many interest, she will be remembered for her love of the outdoors, fishing with her children, watching hummingbirds, and collecting Lighthouses.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, William T. Smith, Jr. and sister, Karen Sue Green.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Christina (Chad) Diehl, and Michael (Kim) McElwain, granddaughters, Audrey and Olivia Diehl, sister, Eva Ann (Kenneth) Hinzey.

Family and friends will be received on Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 11 till time of funeral service at 1pm with Rev. Jim Hoff officiating, at Wilson Funeral Home – Heslop Chapel, 415 Walnut St., Martins Ferry, Ohio 43935.

In lieu of flowers the family request memorial donations to Liza’s Place, 308 Mount St. Joseph Rd., Wheeling, WV 26003.

To leave online condolences please visit www.wilsonfuneralhomes.com.