Guyton and Effingham County are mourning the passing of a longtime educator and community advocate, after Guyton City Council Alderman Dr. Brenda Lovett died Thursday from complications of diabetes.
Lovett earned a degree in elementary education from what was then Savannah State College. She earned a master’s degree from Armstrong Atlantic State University and a specialist’s degree from Georgia Southern University. Lovett eventually earned a doctorate in educational leadership and supervision from South Carolina State University.
Lovett spent 35 years as a teacher and administrator, and she was the principal at Sand Hill Elementary School for two years.
“She certainly played a vital part in our school system for over 30 years,” said Randy Shearouse, superintendent of the Effingham County School System. “What’s really amazing is the different roles she served — as a teacher, a lead teacher, a librarian, an assistant principal at the middle school level and high school level, then as an elementary school principal. And she also was over our alternative school for a while.
“I’ll tell you about her love of education — after she retired, she still served as a substitute teacher for us.”
Lovett first joined Guyton City Council in 2003, when she was appointed to fill the term of alderman Karen Cantaline. She was re-elected in 2007 and 2011.
She also served on the city’s planning and zoning board as an alternate.
Lovett also was chosen as the grand marshal of the 2006 Guyton Christmas Parade.
Lovett’s daughter Ramona had been principal at Ebenezer Middle School before she passed away last year. Daughter Mimi Hayes is a language arts teacher at Effingham County High School.
“She was always positive,” Shearouse said. “She wanted Effingham County to thrive in all areas. She saw the importance of education, which she instilled in both her daughters. She taught an important lesson to us all — keep learning. And stay active.”