Arvilla Brewer

1940 - 2025

Arvilla Louise Brewer, 84, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2025, surrounded by friends in Bryson City, NC. Born on September 27, 1940, in Westchester, NY, Arvilla-affectionately known as "Villa"-was cherished by many for her warmth, intellect, and deep appreciation of nature.

Villa graduated from Denison College in 1962 and later earned a master's degree in history from Wesleyan University. Her passion for education and languages led her to Nicaragua, where she taught English for several years. Upon returning to the United States in the late 1960s, she began teaching history, English, and Spanish at North Iredell High School in North Carolina. There, she also served as advisor to the Model UN Club and coached field hockey.

A long-time resident of Mooresville, NC, Villa was an active member of Centre Presbyterian Church and sang in the choir. Her love for photography and the outdoors found a lasting home at Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) near Bryson City, where she worked as a professional photographer for over 30 years. Her work took her on numerous journeys throughout Mexico, Central and South America, and Europe as both a photographer and Spanish interpreter.

In retirement, Villa continued her dedication to nature by volunteering as a forest ranger. She contributed to monitoring elk populations and migration patterns in western North Carolina.

Villa is survived by her first cousins Eugenia Anderson-Ellis, Ruth Anderson Coggeshall, and Carole Lewis Anderson; and close cousins Nicole Anderson Ellis, Erine Ellis Kane, Thomas William Coggeshall, Timothy Ashley Coggeshall, Dan Brewer, and William Brewer; along with numerous other family members and special friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Conde and Amy Brewer.

A celebration of life will be held on November 1 at 1:00 p.m. at NOC on the raft room side of the river.

May her memory bring comfort to those who knew her.