Barbara Ann Brewer

Barbara Ann Brewer, formerly of Lake Limestone, Groesbeck, TX, has gone to join her husband Don and her Lord and Savior in Heaven.   On Tuesday, January 29, 2020, she passed away peacefully in her sleep at Ella Springs Senior Living Facility in Houston, TX. at age 87.

Visitation will be at Groesbeck Funeral Home at any time during the days prior to the services.  

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, February 8, 2020, at Fort Parker Memorial Park, with Brother Richard Williams of the Church of Christ of Groesbeck officiating. 

Barbara was born December 28, 1932 in Montgomery, Alabama to Loyce Worthy Sykes and Alton Matilda Mitchell Sykes.   She graduated from Sidney Lanier High School in 1951, having carried the nickname of “Barbie Sox” throughout school.  She was lifelong friends, since grade school, with Elaine Burch Hartzog and Effie Jackson Kirby, and they were known as the “Three Musketeers.”   Another classmate and close friend was Bart Starr, and she followed his football career all through the years. 

Barbara married Donald Forest Brewer in Anchorage, Alaska on July 24, 1954.   They had both moved to Anchorage when their Dad’s jobs relocated there.  While Don was stationed there in the military and Barbara was working on the base, they were set up on a blind date.   Barbara said she “knew immediately he was her one and only.”  A year later they were married.

After living in California while their first two children were born, they moved back to Alaska to homestead on Rabbit Creek, near Anchorage, deep in the woods.  They had to walk one and one-half miles from the car to the house, while Barbara had two little ones.  One day when the President was coming to town, Barbara was walking with the children to town to meet Don and see the President, a bear was on the road heading straight at them.   When they didn’t show up in town, the next thing Don heard from Barbara was that she was “going home to Mama.”

Barbara followed Don in many moves during his career.   Two of her favorite places they lived were Salt Lake City, Utah (for the seasons and scenery) and Corpus Christi, TX. (because she had family there.)   The least favorite place was Oxnard, California, due to the beach sand constantly in the house.

When Don retired, they moved to Lake Limestone near Groesbeck where their dear friends for many years, the Hartzogs and Beth and Roland Slaughter lived. 

Barbara and Don loved their property at the lake, with the water and the wildlife. They were members of the Church of Christ in Groesbeck.  Barbara was a devoted student of the Bible and very knowledgeable of the Old Testament.  She was a faithful and devout Christian, and encouragement to those who knew her.

Barbara and Don enjoyed cooking and serving others at many church functions.   They supported the local Boy Scouts, providing camping and cook-outs on their lake property.  They also hosted the Groesbeck LTC residents on “Days Out” for bonfires and cookouts.

Barbara’s hobbies included sewing, needlepoint and crochet, of which was an expert.    She was generous in giving her work to friends, and to Medina Children’s Home.  While Don kept older friends stocked in his walking canes, she kept babies supplied with blankets.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Lester James Sykes in 1980 and Jack Worthy Sykes in 1997; and her husband Don in 2018.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Susan “Su” and Ted Miller of Edgewood, New Mexico; son, Gary Brewer of Kansas City, Missouri; daughter and son-in-law, Pamela and David Bretherton of Humble, Texas.  Her seven grandchildren and their spouses are: Jeffery and Kelly Miller, Jodi and Niles Mahlman, Angela and Chad Hopkins, Andrew Brewer, Ashley and Anthony Ross, Eric Bretherton, Jacob Bretherton; and there are thirteen great grandchildren.   She is also survived by her sister, Sarah Juanita Sykes of Montgomery, AL, and many other extended family.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the following charity in memory of Barbara and Don Brewer:  Pet Assistance Network Texas (PANT), 9659 N. Sam Houston Pkwy E. #362, Humble, TX  77396 - Facebook: Pet Assistance Network Texas -  Website: www.petassistancenetworktexas.com - PayPal: [email protected]