Brenda Merlene Dryden, 83, of Pea Ridge, Arkansas passed away Saturday, August 29, 2026 in Bentonville, Arkansas.  She was born October 11, 1942 in Strawberry, Arkansas to Merle Darrell Callison and Miriam Catherine James.

Merlene was a legal assistant for Rutledge Law Firm in Springdale, Arkansas for 28 years. She loved to read, loved her family and grandchildren and her many "adopted" kids.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Billy Ray Dryden (2022) whom she married December 20, 1959 and two brothers, Sonny Callison and Danny Callison.

Merlene is survived by two children, Dani Merritt (Chris) of Mankato, Minnesota and John Dryden of Bentonville; six grandchildren, Aaron, Abigail, Samuel (Jackie), Sarah, Mikaela and Madisyn; one great-grandson, Parker Pearson; three siblings, Sue Welker of Fallon, Missouri, Diane Bariola of Tontitown, AR, Shelly Frank of Rogers, Arkansas and many dear friends.

She will be laid to rest at the Pea Ridge Cemetery.   No services are planned.