Kadriye Diane Brunson - Obituary

he beloved Kadriye Diane Brunson (affectionately known as “Radridge”) was born June 20, 1963, to the late Kenneth A. Johnson, Sr., and the late Florence B. Wood in Ismir, Turkey. In the Turkish culture, Kadriye means “Valuable” or “Strong”. On Friday, October 27, 2023, the Lord recalled one of his brightest stars to come home to be with Him. As a toddler and pre-teen, she lived in the Hillcrest Heights area and attended elementary and junior high school at Overlook and Benjamin Stoddart. She was an active member in the Brownie Scouts as well as many school activities. As a teenager she moved to Valdosta, Georgia to join her father and his family along with her brother Kenneth, Jr. Kadriye graduated from Valdosta High School in 1981. After high school, Kadriye pursued higher education at Valdosta State University. In 1982, Kadriye returned to Hillcrest Heights. Upon her return she procured a position with a global insurance broker, initially as an insurance technician, which provided an avenue to become a licensed insurance professional. After several years in the insurance profession, Kadriye explored careers in the legal profession. Kadriye eventually returned to the insurance profession and took up the practice of claims administration for a mental health provider. In October of 1999, Kadriye married Vincent Brunson in the Ebaneezer AME Church in Oxon Hill, Maryland. Shortly after the marriage, the couple acquired a home in Suitland, Maryland where they continued to live. The union produced two lovely girls, Kasha Virginia Ann and Kennyatta Rose Marie Ellen, and grandson Kristian Allen. Kadriye’s downtime and spare time were spent with family, especially nieces and nephews. In her short time with us, Kadriye developed countless friendships and relationships. Many remember her for her humor, assertiveness, quick wit, straightforwardness, and willingness to help. Kadriye was also the “Ark of Safety” for her open-door policy for those in need of a place to shelter and a mother figure for a host friends and family. She will be remembered and missed daily by a large circle of family, friends, and associates. Kadriye was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth Allen Johnson, Sr. and Florece Beatrix Wood as well as her brother Kenneth Allen Johnson, Jr., and sister Carla Marie Johnson. She leaves to cherish her memories a loving and supporting husband, Vincent Brunson, daughters Kasha and Kennyatta, grandson Kristian; stepfather John D. Wood; Stepmother Adrea Johnson; sisters Pia D. Johnson Sutton (Erwin), September T. Dietrich, Kierra Johnson, and Amber Johnson. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. Relatives and friends are invited to Kadriye's Life Celebration on Saturday, November 18, 2023 from 11 a.m. until the start of the memorial service at 12 noon at the KALAS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD 20745. The interment will be private at a later date.