Key Takeaways
- Brandi Owensby was a passionate teacher at White Knoll High School.
- From 2020 to 2021, she was honored as Teacher of the Year at White Knoll High School.
- Her passing leaves a void that will be deeply felt, but her legacy of inspiration and dedication will endure.
Brandi Owensby, a dedicated drama teacher at White Knoll High School in Lexington County, South Carolina, passed away on January 13, 2024.
Her sudden departure has profoundly impacted her students, colleagues, and the broader community who are mourning her loss.
The exact cause of Owensby’s d*ath has not been disclosed.
Following her passing, an outpouring of condolences and tributes began. Students, parents, and fellow educators have shared their memories, emphasizing her positive influence on their lives.
The White Knoll High School Timberwolf Band expressed their condolences on their Facebook page:
One of her students wrote:
My heart has been hurting all day since I heard the news. I moved to Lexington and came to White Knoll in 2013 (sophomore year? Junior?) and I struggled to fit in because I didn’t grow up with these people like I did in Sumter. Drama class changed that. Mrs. Brandi Owensby (“Bo” as we all called her) was such a wonderful teacher and mentor. Just a great woman. She was so accepting and welcoming of everyone. She made drama class and high school so much fun. It breaks my heart to know she’s gone. I’ll forever cherish the good times I had in her class and the friends I made. I hope you’re resting peacefully Bo 🩷
Via Facebook
Similarly, one of her colleagues added:
I’m very sad to learn of the passing of Mrs. Brandi Owensby, long-time Drama teacher at White Knoll High School. I had the pleasure of working with Brandi in the Fine Arts Department for many years. Always energetic, inspirational, and kind, she was dearly loved by her students, and built the WK Drama program to become a nationally recognized one. Mrs. Owensby will be dearly missed.
Via Facebook
Another tribute reads:
The community is rallying to support Owensby’s family by setting up a fundraising initiative during this difficult time. One post read:
As many of you have noticed on Facebook today, our community lost a great educator, mentor and friend. Brandi Owensby’s passing leaves a void that will never be filled. Courtney Shealy Bass reached out and she is heading up putting together a gift card basket for Brandi’s daughter and husband. The idea is to try and have plenty of options for them for meals over the next while. It won’t make the lose of a wife and mother any easier but it will ease the burden in another area. If you’d like to donate monetarily you can send it to my Cash App or Venmo.
Via Facebook
Cash App: $jaywebb86
Venmo: @Jay-Webb-32
I will ensure that every dollar goes directly toward providing meals for this family.
Her commitment to education and the arts profoundly shaped the school’s culture, fostering a nurturing environment and encouraging students to explore their creative potential.
She was recognized for her teaching and her ability to inspire and support her students in countless ways.
Furthermore, she was honored as Teacher of the Year at White Knoll High School for the 2020-2021 academic year, showcasing her exceptional educational contributions.
Her dedication to the arts was evident in her work with the drama department, where her students achieved notable success.
In 2013, her thespian students competed at the Palmetto Dramatic Association and S.C. Thespian High School Theatre Festival at Lander University, earning multiple awards.
Adding to her accomplishments, Brandi was also elected vice president of the Palmetto Dramatic Association, further demonstrating her leadership and commitment to the arts.
Known as a great friend, teacher, mentor, and a ‘mother’ figure, she inspired students of all backgrounds.
Her legacy will endure through the many lives she touched, both in and out of the classroom.
Plans for vigils and memorial services are underway to honor her memory and support those grieving her significant loss.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Brandi Owensby was a devoted wife and loving mother to her daughter.
