White Knoll High theater teacher remembered for dedication to her family and students

Brandi Owensby was 40

Posted 1/18/25

Brandi Lee Owensby's father, Mike Gettings, remembers his daughter and her students calling him up during the school day to sing happy birthday to him.

A cherished theater teacher and director at White Knoll High School since 2008...

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White Knoll High theater teacher remembered for dedication to her family and students

Brandi Owensby was 40

Posted

Brandi Lee Owensby's father, Mike Gettings, remembers his daughter and her students calling him up during the school day to sing happy birthday to him.

A cherished theater teacher and director at White Knoll High School since 2008, Brandi, 40, died suddenly on Jan. 12, 2025, at Prisma Health Richland, according to her obituary.

Those who knew Brandi describe her as generous, caring and always ready to lift others up. Gettings fondly recalled how Brandi’s infectious spirit brightened everybody’s day. Having her students call him up on his birthday was one of the numerous kind-natured things she did for her loved ones.

Brandi’s husband, Will Owensby, said she was his soulmate. They met at a college orientation at Winthrop University in 2002. He remembers telling his friend he had never met anyone like her. After orientation ended, both planned to stay in contact. They began dating in the fall, and in 2006, they married on May 6.

Born on Sept. 16, 1984, in New York, Brandi was the daughter of Gettings and Helen Riley. She earned her bachelor’s degree in theater education from Winthrop University, and she went on to earn a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of South Carolina.

Brandi’s passions extended beyond theater. She loved her faith, family, friends, dogs, concerts, art, vacations, Disney, video games and X-Men.

She was a devoted mother to her daughter, Aurora Joy “Rori” Owensby, who said her mother loved her more than anything in this world. The two shared many special memories, including “girls’ day," consisting of going to CiCi’s Pizza and the park. The two would also take pictures doing their sassy girl poses in front of the castle during trips to Disney.

Rori remembers dressing up together for Halloween, sometimes just them two, sometimes with friends.

On Saturday, Jan. 18, family, friends and colleagues gathered at St. Simon St. Jude Episcopal Church to honor Brandi’s legacy and remember all that she gave to her family, students and community.

Brandi spent her time volunteering for various projects and going above and beyond for her students. Friends say she loved unconditionally and would want the world to do the same.

Some of her students would even go out of their way to learn from her. 

Noah Marcum, an alum of a different high school, traveled to White Knoll High School to take her class. Upon graduation, Brandi did something similar for him. 

"She traveled to a completely different high school to attend a graduation that only one of her students was in, which was mine," he said. "She was such an awesome woman." 

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