Brenetta Wiles

The Life & Legacy of Brenetta Wiles

Brenetta Wiles, affectionately known as “Mama Coco,” was born on September 18, 1959, to Robert and Estella Wiles. She graduated with pride from Central High School, Class of 1977, and from the very beginning, she carried with her a radiant spirit that would touch countless lives.

Brenetta was a woman whose love knew no bounds. She had a rare gift for making everyone feel like family. Her laughter could fill a room, and her warm hugs could heal the heaviest hearts. If you ever needed a champion, a listening ear, or someone to stand by your side without question, you could count on her. She had a big heart—one that gave and gave without hesitation—and a personality even bigger. Fiercely protective, profoundly generous, and unapologetically honest, Brenetta lived her life rooted in love, strength, and authenticity.

One of her greatest joys in life was her family. She was a proud mother to LaMonica Madden and Darius Blair, and there wasn't a moment she didn’t brag about them to anyone who would listen. Her pride in her daughter LaMonica, in particular, was something everyone around her knew well. Whether celebrating achievements big or small, Brenetta made sure the world knew how extraordinary her childrewere in her eyes.

Beyond being a devoted mother, Brenetta had a deep passion for the arts. She was often found with a paintbrush in hand, pouring her heart onto canvases that captured the faces and spirits of her loved ones. She painted not just what she saw, but what she felt—the love, the history, the pride that ran through generations. Her paintings were treasures, each one telling a story of family, faith, and unconditional love. It was her way of immortalizing those she cherished most, and those paintings now stand as timeless reminders of the love she gave so freely.

Her grandchildren—Ziiah, Madison, and C.D. Jr.—were the light of her life. Nothing brought Mama Coco more joy than spending time with them, spoiling them with affection, laughter, and wisdom. Whether it was attending school events, cheering them on in their passions, or simply sitting together telling stories and painting memories, her bond with them was unbreakable. She loved being "Grandma," but to her grandbabies, she was so much more—a safe place, a guiding star, a constant source of encouragement and pride.

Brenetta also held a special place in her heart for her honorary daughters and nieces, Lynandrea Wiles and Beverly Tobay. To them, she was more than family—she was a second mother, a mentor, a protector. Her influence and love extended far beyond her immediate family, touching the lives of friends, cousins, aunts, uncles, and countless others who felt her nurturing spirit. She was a pillar of strength, a fierce advocate for those she loved, and the kind of woman whose presence made the world feel a little bit safer, a little bit brighter. Her home was always a place of refuge, laughter, and life lessons—where you were just as likely to receive a big hug as you were a firm word of advice (always given out of love).

Brenetta's legacy is stitched into the very fabric of her family’s story: a legacy of boundless love, unshakeable faith, and an unwavering commitment to those she cared for. She taught those around her the true meaning of loyalty, resilience, and compassion. Her life was a masterpiece, painted in vibrant strokes of generosity, creativity, humor, and deep devotion. As we celebrate her life, we find comfort in knowing that her spirit lives on through the love she gave, the lessons she taught, the art she created, and the countless lives she touched. Brenetta Wiles may no longer walk beside us, but her light, her laughter, and her love will never fade.

She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter LaMonica Madden, her son Darius Blair, her grandchildren Ziiah, Madison, and C.D. Jr., her honorary daughters/nieces Lynandrea Wiles and Beverly Tobay, and a host of family members and friends who will continue to honor her legacy every day. 

“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.” Rest well, Mama Coco. You will forever be loved, forever be missed, and forever be remembered.