Raymond Brewer

Raymond Brewer

Raymond Brewer, 89, of Florence, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014, at ECM Hospital. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursday at the First Free Will Baptist Church. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Chris Compton officiating. Burial will be in Tri-Cities Memorial Gardens with Elkins Funeral Home assisting the family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alpha and Cisley Hunt Brewer, siblings, Clarence, Buford, Alfred, Wilbur, and Myrtle, and son-in-law, Bill Lucas.

Ray is survived by his wife of 68 years, Angeleen Cunningham Brewer; children, Sharon Bevis, Rebecca (Henry) Rockhill, Teresa Lucas, and David (Beth) Brewer; grandchildren, Elizabeth Lucas (David) Wilson, Rebecca Angeleen (Bob) Moseley, Millicent Cannon (Caleb) Pendergrass, Hailey Brewer Williams, Emma Key Lucas, Bonnie Brewer (Joshua) Little, and Davis Franklin Brewer; great-grandchildren, Lizzy Williams, Jackson and Rachel Moseley, Larkin and Henry Wilson, and Virginia and Davis Little.

Born on Aug. 28, 1925, Ray enlisted in the U.S. Navy on the first day he was eligible. He served aboard the U.S.S. Charles Carroll for four years. He was a proud midshipman and loved to tell others about being at Normandy on D-Day and his time in the Pacific. At home port in San Francisco, Ray met Angeleen, a war-time Western Union telegraph operator, on a blind date, and they came home together to Alabama. For years, later in life, Ray and Angeleen enjoyed traveling around the United States for annual ship reunions.

After retiring from a long career with National Linen Services, Ray began a part-time job with Florence City Schools driving and then supervising the school bus routes which turned into a second nearly 20 year career.

An accomplished woodworker, Ray spent hours in his backyard wood shop creating masterpieces that fill the homes of his children and grandchildren. He was selected as a Master Alabama Craftsman and his wooden cars were displayed in Alabama Welcome Centers for several years.

Above all his accomplishments, his greatest pride was his family. He'd stop to tell anyone who would listen about his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. For a man who came from meager means, he became incredibly rich in love. There has rarely been a time where his home hasn't been full of those he loved gathering around him for a meal, to work a jigsaw puzzle, or to watch Alabama football.

Pallbearers will be Davis Brewer, Bob Moseley, David Wilson, Caleb Pendergrass, Joshua Little, and Larry Rockhill.

Elkins Funeral Home of Florence invites you to leave online condolences at elkinsfuneralhome.com.