Shirley Brewer

Shirley Brewer, 93, died peacefully in her sleep after complications

of a stroke in Santa Monica, California on June 6, 2018.

She had been suffering with increasing dementia for quite a number of

years. Up until July 2016, she was still able to live on her own in

Brenham despite being legally blind and hard of hearing. A decision

was made by her family to move her closer to them in January 2017.

She was born in Center, Texas, on November 11, 1924 as the last of

six children, who all predeceased her.

Upon graduation from high school, she moved to San Antonio where she

had various jobs as a receptionist-secretary and even a stock quote

writer on blackboards. She met her eventual husband of 65 years, Herb

Brewer (1923-2011), at a Texas Tech- Texas A&M football game in San

Antonio on October 2, 1943. After Herb's return from World War II,

they married on September 14, 1946 in Madison, Wisconsin.

Shirley was a very devoted wife and mother; and she was the perfect

complement to her husband. They moved to Chicago, then Washington DC,

and eventually ended up in Houston. They also lived in Darien,

Connecticut, for a brief period of time. They considered Brenham

their home up until the time of Shirley's move after they purchased a

residence there in 1968. They thoroughly enjoyed their time in Brenham.

Those who had the pleasure of knowing Shirley recognized her grace

and charm immediately. She had a gregarious and friendly nature and

always made her numerous guests feel welcome. She was a queen of

hospitality and enjoyed entertaining, playing bridge, sewing (and

making designer clothes), creating arts and crafts, and doing

activities at Lakeside Country Club in Houston; where she was a

member for over 50 years and was President of the Women's Association

there in 1965. She was blessed to have numerous long-term friends

that were parts of these activities. Shirley enjoyed seeing her loved

ones and friends laugh as that alone could make her laugh.

While Shirley exhibited these generous qualities, she was also

determined and worked hard to accomplish any task she felt set before

her. Her tenacity in approaching a problem could be quite prolonged

and usually resulted in her success.

A lover of music, she was self-taught on the piano as she learned by

ear. Even though dementia was taking a toll on her, she continued to

play the piano into late 2017.

Where Shirley really ruled the roost though was in the kitchen,

especially when it came to entertaining others on a large scale. She

was a real student of various cuisines and loved to cook, especially

for friends and family. Her diminished eyesight did not slow her down

from this.

She leaves behind her son, Bart; daughter in law Julia, grandsons

Nate and Zachary, sister-in-law Agnes Brewer, and numerous nieces and

nephews along with their children. She gave her all to her husband

and her descendants, and she is missed by them all.

There will be no funeral or memorial service. However, she will be

interred at Prairie Lea Cemetery right next to her husband. The

family wishes to express thanks to all who have reached out to them

in this time.

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