Len Brightwell Obituary

I miss you your best person I ever met and I will never forget you

Len was a very good policeman in Richmond and a very good Realtor ! Rest in Peace

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Len Brightwell or Lenny as we called him and I grew up in the same neighborhood. His family lived on the next street, directly in back of our family. There were five children in his family five in ours. He had the most wonderful mother! Nita Brightwell (Mama Nita to some) welcomed all the neighborhood children into their home. I spent as much time in their home as I did my own and maybe even more. Their door was never locked. Lenny was the older brother I didn´t have. I was the oldest in my family. His sister, Deanie was my best friend. His brother Ricky was my brother, Jimmy´s, best friend. Then came the younger ones; Toot and Vincent in his, Malinda, Cindy and Berkley in ours. Maybe we didn´t know it, but those were blessed times. Our fathers served in WWII and afterwards came home and raised their families as did many others. The neighborhood and two other nearby neighborhoods were full of children. Boy did we have stories to tell! We didn´t have much... there were a lot of mouths to feed and that was before credit cards. I don´t remember anything being given to us unless we worked for it. That was a good thing. It gave us ambition. We had good role models. Our dads worked hard, giving everything they had to support their family. Our mothers were what they now call "stay at home moms." As we were growing up and going our own way, we had the support of family and each other. I remember Lenny´s father would take me on his way to work, when I was going to cosmetology school. Finally got my driver´s license and Lenny sold me my first car, his 1959 Pontiac. I still have a pic of the car and Lenny´s handwritten receipt. I called it the Mayflower because it was white and old. Later after going in different directions, raising families of our own, we would have occasional visits when our paths crossed and laugh about all the old stories. Old friends are the best because we share memories. I will always keep memories of Lenny.

Rest in Peace

Growing up, I wanted Lenny to be my big brother even though we were not related. Yet, in many ways he was that and more... Friend, protector, gentleman, funny, and always willing to help no matter the deed... And I mean "no matter"!

I enjoyed working with you in traffic as my Lieutenant, you treated everyone fairly and I was proud to call you a friend, May you rest in Peace , prayers for all your love ones

Len was one of the kindest people I´ve ever met. Additionally, he had a great sense of humor. He was a gentleman and an excellent police officer. He will be missed and remembered by many.

Lenny, you were my best friend and I had the honor of being there for you over the last year. I gained the family I didn't have with Tripp's amazing family. I'm happy you are with Robin now. Do they have Gunsmoke episodes playing up there? I miss you terribly. You certainly left a legacy behind. You impacted so many Police Officers in so many ways. You were a good man. "HEY MR. BRIGHTWELL, I LOVE YOU"

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Always going to remember your humor and protective spirit, Uncle Lenny.