Ellen Lentz Brewer

Ellen Lentz Brewer passed away peacefully at the Briar Creek Health Center in Charlotte on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. Ellen was born to Margaret and Larry Lentz on January 19, 1944, in Taft, California while her father was serving in the Army Air Corps during WWII. She was born as one of a set of preemie twins. Her sister, Janie Riegle, did not survive, but Ellen always credited the Army medical staff in Taft for her making it through.

Ellen was raised in Goldsboro, NC and graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1966 with a degree in English. She was in Alpha Delta Pi Sorority and maintained lifelong friendships with her sorority sisters. After working in several of the grand old department stores in Richmond and Miami, she married Craven Brewer and they set up a life in Warsaw, NC. While she loved to complain about small town life, she thrived in Warsaw and made friends without regard to age, race, religion, social status or college football team. She leaves truly uncommon and enduring friendships in Warsaw, many of which lasted over 50 years. Many of her happiest memories were of Warsaw and, in the interesting way life works out, she spent most of time in Charlotte keeping up with the goings and comings in little Warsaw and talking about them to anybody that would listen.

She taught business and merchandising for the Duplin County School System for over 20 years. While she was always grumpy in August and never thought she could make it through another year, she loved the students and the chance to share her experiences. She had a knack for finding students with underappreciated abilities and helping them to grow. She was always gratified when her students made careers in business and merchandising. She was extremely patriotic and especially proud of her students who later served in the military.

Ellen loved to read, and the family home was filled with books - unfortunately the 10,000 fashion magazines and retail books she kept never turned into valuable collectibles as she had hoped. She was the master of getting kids to piano lessons, tennis practice, Boy Scout meetings and every other event before that was a thing. She was a tireless advocate and supporter of her children; there was nothing she would not do to help them do their best. She was an active volunteer in the community and served on the Duplin Medical Board, Parents Council of the NCSSM, and several years as the leader for the Ladies Sunday School Class at Warsaw Presbyterian.

Ellen is survived by her children; Ellis Brewer (Tracy), Lentz Brewer (Angie) and Margaret Linn (Tom). Also, by three delightful young granddaughters; Molly, Claire, and Mary Ellis. Her biggest regret would be that she would not get to see the wonderful people they are growing up to be. She is preceded in death by her parents and husband. Ellen was a dog lover extraordinaire and is also preceded in death by a dozen dogs that she raised through her life. Many were strays who she rescued, loved, and cared for like only she could have.

Ellen spent the last few years in Charlotte near Landis, NC, her mother's homeplace and it brought her great comfort. The family would like to thank the staff of Brightmore and Briar Creek for their care and support. Most importantly, thanks to the staff of Merrywood on Park in Charlotte for four years of caring for her and talking about the daily menu for 30 minutes to get her order just right. Merrywood is a special place, and we are so grateful. Our most heartfelt thanks to Catherine Cesarsky who put the angel in Visiting Angel. Their friendship over the last years became a blessing to all of us.

She will be interned at West Lawn Memorial gardens in China Grove, NC in a private service with a celebration of life at a later date. No flowers please. Contributions in her memory to the Halfway There Pet Rescue, Humane Society of Charlotte or the animal charity of your choice are appreciated.