Brenda was born and raised in Enid, Oklahoma to a middle-class family of devout Christians. She was known as a quiet child who devoted her time to church and school, serving on the student council and earning straight A’s. Brenda’s family describes her as the “glue that held the family together” after her father’s death.

In 1984, at the age of 21, she left her out-of-state Lutheran college and moved back to Oklahoma to marry Robert Andrew. While Brenda excelled at work, even earning the employee of the year award, she adapted her career to meet the needs of her husband’s job, moving first to Texas for his work and then back to Oklahoma. Following the birth of her two children, Brenda became a Sunday School teacher and full-time parent.

Brenda was dedicated to pursuing a life of service and faith. One neighbor described Brenda’s devotion to community members who were ill or homebound, who she took under her wing. Brenda often cooked for her elderly neighbors and even accompanied a neighbor with Alzheimer’s on walks so he could enjoy the sunshine. She was equally devoted to her faith, poring over her Bible study materials daily.

Since she was condemned to die in 2004, Brenda has lived on death row at Mabel Bassett Correctional Facility. For sixteen years, she was held in solitary confinement. During that time, her sole source of human interaction consisted of brief exchanges with guards and one hour each week with her priest.