Brenda Kay Weatherford of Carbondale

Brenda Kay Weatherford, 82, passed away on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, at her home.

Kay was born on July 9, 1943, to William Forrest and Evelyn Naomi (Reeder) Potter in Murphysboro. She married Larry Weatherford on Dec. 28, 1963, in Murphysboro.

Kay graduated from SIU with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education in 1976 and, in 1981, established the Su Casa Migrant Head Start Day Care Center in Cobden, where she served as director for many years. Kay went on to work for the Illinois Department of Human Services’ Migrant and Seasonal Head Start program, retiring in 2010 after 35 years of service at the local, state and national levels. She was deeply committed to ensuring that the children of migrant farmworkers received quality care and educational opportunities. A fifth-generation southern Illinoisan, she served on the Southern Illinois Community Foundation Board beginning in 2015, motivated by a desire to give back to the community that had given so much to her family.

Kay treasured the time she spent with her family. She visited her sons and their families in California and Japan often, making more than twenty trips to Japan.

Kay is survived by her husband; two sons and daughters-in-law, York and Yasuyo Weatherford of Kyoto, Japan, and Chad and Lindsay Weatherford of Santa Clarita, Calif.; her husband’s daughter, Katie Brodie of Belmont, Calif.; and seven grandchildren, Yuki Sakurai of Kyoto, Japan, Ashley, Kaylee, Kolbe, Aaron and Amanda Weatherford, and Brittany Jarve, all of southern California. She is also survived by two brothers and sisters-in-law, William Forrest II and Donna Potter of Creve Coeur, Mo., and Michael and Lynne Potter of Austin, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Southern Illinois Community Foundation.

Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave a story or memory of Kay, visit meredithfh.com.