The Truitt Family: Carrying the Torch

This story originally appeared in the 2024 Aeolian magazine.

On a mild spring evening in April 2024, members of Georgia Southwestern’s NPHC community gathered for Omega Psi Phi’s Neophyte Presentation. This was the first time in five years that new members had joined the fraternity, so the excitement was palpable in Centennial Plaza.

For the Truitt family, that excitement was intermingled with grief. Charles and Floria Truitt, both GSW alumni, sat in the audience. Their youngest son Brenton was one of the five new members, an ace just like his father and brother before him. The only one missing was Brandon.

Brandon, the Truitt’s eldest son passed away in 2022 after a brief illness. Although his passing left a hole in the Truitt family, it also brought into focus the importance of what Brandon loved: family, brotherhood, and community.

—

Charles Truitt came to GSW in fall 1987 as a transfer student. He had heard great things about Hurricane athletics and was slated to play running back just before GSW’s football team was cut.

He stayed active in campus life, joining Omega Psi Phi in 1988. The fraternity had just been chartered at GSW the year before, joining the expanding Greek life community on campus.

“Greek life played a major role in my college experience,” Charles said. “The brothers and the lasting friendships I made will always be something I cherish to the end.”

Charles earned his bachelor’s degree in education in 1990 and a master’s degree in 1995.

Charles’ wife Floria attended GSW as a non-traditional student, earning her bachelor’s degree in special education in 2006. Still, she was involved on campus.

“I was a member of SCEC, Student Council for Exceptional Children, where we helped special needs students with extra school supplies and tools needed for them to perform in the classroom,” Floria recalled.

Over nearly 20 years, Floria has worked in special education at Americus-Sumter High in Americus, Macon County High in Montezuma, and Albany High in Albany. She is currently the lead contact teacher for exceptional children at Westover High in Albany.

Charles has also built a 33-year career in education as a longtime football coach in the region. He has coached at Americus-Sumter High, Monroe High in Albany, and Tiftarea Academy in Tifton. After a brief retirement, he now serves as the assistant principal, athletic director and head football coach at Randolph-Clay High in Cuthbert.

The Truitts’ commitment to education and connections to GSW led their eldest son Brandon to campus in 2014 as a physical education major. He quickly became involved in campus life and joined Omega Psi Phi in 2015.

“When he was on campus, and I would go visit, almost everyone knew Brandon,” Charles said.

This was no surprise to his family. Brandon was always trying to get the family together for any and every event. Making memories with the people he loved most was important to him.

“Talking about a son following in his father’s footsteps – that was Brandon,” Charles said. “He wanted to pledge, and he wanted to be a teacher and football coach.”

Brandon attended GSW until 2017. He went on to start a business that hosted sports camps for children ages 15 and under. He also coached for several local youth teams. He was passionate about sports and the impact athletics could have on children’s lives.

“As a parent, you always hope that your children see something you did positively and want to follow in that direction,” Charles said. “When I think about it now, I burst with joy. Sometimes I get emotional just thinking about it.”

Brenton, the youngest Truitt, joined his brother at GSW in 2016.

“My brother Brandon was a big part of why I ended up at GSW,” Brenton said. “He allowed me to see that this is a prestigious school, and continuing the legacy of my parents was very important to us.”

The brothers had always been close. Even after both had left GSW, they lived in an apartment together.

“We moved them both back home when Brandon got sick,” Floria said.

Brandon passed away in January 2022.

“It seems like a part of my heart was ripped out,” Floria said. “I miss Brandon so much. There isn’t a day that goes by that I do not think about him.”

“We are still coping and will always be trying to cope,” Charles said. “I try to get through the day just thinking how proud he made me.”

Brandon’s loss was deeply felt, not only by each member of his family, but by the brothers of Omega Psi Phi and the larger GSW community. He had been a fixture at campus events, even after he left GSW. He could always be found with his Omega brothers around the grill at the annual Homecoming Tailgate.

“My brother was a kind, loving and compassionate person,” Brenton said. “He always cared more about the well-being of others than himself. He always wanted to see the best from anyone he was around.”

“I feel like a part of me has left this earth, and it doesn’t feel the same without him here,” Brenton said.

Brandon was more than just a big brother. He had always been Brenton’s biggest supporter.

“It really motivated me to get back in school, because that was something he was encouraging me to do before he passed,” said Brenton.

Brenton reenrolled at GSW in Fall 2022. He has since made the Dean’s List and Academic Achievement List.

“It was very difficult to focus on college sometimes with my brother being gone, but having a strong support system from my family allowed me to excel in honor of my brother,” Brenton said. “I want to continue our family legacy here by being a great leader and impacting GSW in a positive way.”

—

The Neophyte Presentation closed with the Omega brothers welcoming their new members with cheers, handshakes and hugs in a sea of purple and camo. In the middle of the celebration, Charles and Brenton hugged each other tightly. Charles was wearing a memorial t-shirt featuring photos of Brandon. He was there in spirit.

“Joining Omega Psi Phi has always been a lifelong goal that me and Brandon shared,” Brenton said. Both have always looked up to the Omega men in their lives.

“My dad and Brandon are two of my biggest role models and continuing the legacy that they built at Georgia Southwestern was all I wanted to do,” Brenton said. “It’s still surreal and bittersweet because I’m excited that I finally did it, but I really wish my brother was here to experience it with me.”