Darnell Mae Surrett

Darnell Mae Kaase Surrett, affectionately known as “Nane” (or “Nanny”) to her family and “Ma” to her friends who became family, was born on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1943, to Eugene Henry “EH” and Mabel Louise (Seidel) Kaase. She grew up in the Nelsonville area, attended Bellville High School, and was confirmed at Welcome Lutheran Church of Welcome.

Darnell married the love of her life and the life of the party, Richard Allen Surrett, better known as “Boogie,” on August 6, 1960. Together, the two of them built a life centered around family, friends, hard work, and good times. They welcomed four children: Kami Renee, Marcie Lynn, Troy Allen, and Coy Wayne.

Darnell was no stranger to hard work. She worked in the spinning room at Brentex Mills and later became a cloth inspector. In 1984, Darnell and Boogie began running Brenham Quick Mart, a place that allowed them to live while making a living.

While it is known for having the “Coldest Beer in Town,” Brenham Quick Mart is much more than a place to stop for a cold one. It is a gathering place filled with familiar faces, stories, laughter, friendships, and more than a few good times. The “customers” became friends, friends became family, and Darnell was at the heart of it all. Over the years, generations of people entered those doors and became part of our family.

When she wasn’t working, Darnell knew how to enjoy life. A longtime bowler, she represented Brentex Mills and Brenham Quick Mart in league play at Rose Bowl Lanes and many out-of-town tournaments. She loved trips to Louisiana and Las Vegas to gamble, getaways to Matagorda, and chartered bus trips to NFL games with friends. Saturday nights were often spent dancing and bar hopping, and she cherished trips to Luckenbach with Jack and Renee Turner, enjoying live music and dancing.

She enjoyed playing pitch and 31, teaching her children and grandchildren to join her at the card table. Her love of Elvis Presley was another joy she shared with her family, introducing them to his music and taking them on trips to Graceland. Some of the best memories were made simply being together with family and friends - laughing, telling stories, and enjoying wherever the road happened to take them.

Darnell’s greatest legacy is her family. She was a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. She made the term Matriarch seem inadequate. Her life was defined by the family she loved, the friendships she treasured, the laughter she shared, and the generations that grew around her.

She leaves behind her beloved fur baby, Ziggy; her daughter, Kami Renee Surrett Leonard and husband, Mike Leonard; and her son, Coy Wayne Surrett.

Also cherishing her memory are her grandchildren: Ryan Smith and fiancée, Dana Herzog; Karen Andreas and husband, Eric Andreas; Trevor Surrett and wife, Destiny Surrett; Amber Leonard and husband, Krispy Neville; Ashley Leonard; and Shelby Gomez and husband, Carlos Gomez.

Her legacy continues through her great-grandchildren: Miyah Smith, Evan Smith, Emery Andreas, Braxton Gomez, Eva Andreas, Elena Surrett, Ragan Smith, Kalena Mae Andreas, Emerson Gomez, Kailani Surrett, Kamila Andreas, and Trevor Surrett, Jr.; and her great-great-granddaughter, Charlotte Smith. She was eagerly awaiting the arrival of her thirteenth great-grandchild in January 2027. She also leaves behind many fur grandbabies.

She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Marvin Surrett, and his special friend, Cynthia Meschwitz; and her brother-in-law, Ernie Surrett.

Beyond those connected to her by blood, Darnell leaves behind a lifetime of friends and extended Brenham Quick Mart family. To many of them, she was “Ma,” and the friendships made there lasted far beyond closing time.

Darnell was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Mabel Kaase; her husband, Boogie Surrett; her daughter, Marcie Lynn Surrett; her son, Troy Allen Surrett; her sister, Shirley Ann Kaase Peschel; her father-in-law, Richard Monroe Surrett, and her mother-in-law, Eva B. Surrett.

Her family takes comfort in imagining the reunion waiting for her - with Boogie and their babies, and all of her friends and family that went before her.

To the Brenham Quick Mart bunch who went before her, save “Ma” a seat.

Serving as pallbearers are Ryan Smith, Trevor Surrett, Evan Smith, Eric Andreas, Krispy Neville, Trace Fricke, Buzz Kaigler, Troy Steele, Kenny Krueger, and Sergio Orellana. Honorary pallbearers are Marvin Surrett and the Brenham Quick Mart bunch.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2026 at Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer Street, Brenham, Texas 77833.

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 2, 2026 at Welcome Lutheran Church, 13636 FM 109, Brenham, Texas 77833; with Pastor Sutton Officiating.

Following the service, a funeral procession will proceed to Prairie Lea Cemetery, where Darnell will be laid to rest beside her husband, Boogie, and her children, Marcie and Troy.

The family invites you all to join us at Brenham Quick Mart for a Celebration of Life following the graveside service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the cemetery care fund at Welcome Lutheran Church, where her parents are laid to rest, or to AccentCare, in gratitude for the compassionate care they provided during the final chapter of her journey.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 77833. Phone number 979-836-3611. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.brenhammemorialchapel.com