Brenda Elaine Bryan

Brenda Elaine (Givens) Bryan passed away on May 21, 2025 in Columbus, GA. She was born February 6, 1942 in Dothan, AL, grew up in Columbus, GA and eventually moved to Waverly Hall, GA in 1993 and lived there until her death.

She is survived by her son Jerry Robert Bryan Jr, her two daughters Shana Bryan Monteith (Geoffrey Monteith) and Shara Bryan-Torsiello; three grandchildren Christopher A. Monteith, Bryan L. Monteith and Victoria Rose Torsiello and her former husband Jerry Robert Bryan Sr.

Brenda was predeceased by her father Wilburn L Givens, her mother Thelma L Givens and her brother Dalton W. Givens.

She graduated from Jordan Vocational High School in 1960, attended LaGrange College and completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education at Columbus College (Columbus State University).

Brenda was an 8th grade social studies teacher at Richard’s Middle School in Columbus, GA from 1971 to 2003, where she was also the Yearbook and the National History Day Competition faculty advisor. She was extremely active with the Muscogee Educators Association and served as a past president. Brenda also was on various committees with the Georgia Association of Educators and elected several years as a delegate to the National Educators Association conference including as a retired educator.

Besides being a teacher, she was an exceptionally talented musician playing the violin as well as being a gifted vocalist. She was part of the Choral Guild at Columbus College, performed at the Springer Opera House as well as serving as a Minister of Music at both Gentian Baptist Church and Southside Baptist Church. Through her love of music and ministry, she was the director of the special ministries musical group call “Sonshine” which traveled and ministered to many throughout the southeast for almost 10 years. The group also ministered at Fort Benning as the musical guest at chapel services throughout the year including the Ft Benning Easter Sunrise service.

While in college, Brenda was named Miss Columbus College and was 2nd runner up to Miss Columbus. She became involved with the Miss Columbus Pageant organization for several years and served as co-executive director from 2013-2018. Her pageant involvement didn’t stop there, as she competed and won Ms. Columbus Senior in 2006 and was crowned Ms. Georgia Senior in 2007. This gave her the opportunity to use her musical gifts as well as her ability to connect with others and show that at any point in your life you can still achieve your dreams.

Brenda had been active with the League of Women Voters and most recently was working with the Waverly Hall Historical Society.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday June 7th at 11:00 am at St Thomas Episcopal Church (2100 Hilton Ave, Columbus, GA 31906) with visitation in the Parish Hall following the service. The service will be livestreamed (St Thomas on YOUTUBE-stthomascolumbus.org). There will be a private interment at the Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the John Amos Cancer Center, Columbus Hospice, Waverly Hall Historical Society or St Thomas Episcopal Church.