Edwina Beth Brewer

Edwina Beth McNeel Brewer passed away March 2, 2024, in Bryan, surrounded by her family. Services will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Callaway-Jones in Bryan.

Edwina was born on October 10, 1937, in Hearne, Texas, the only child of Virginia and Edwin McNeel. She graduated from Hearne High School in 1956, where she was a baton twirler and played flute in the school band. In 1954, she met the love of her life, Morris Glen Brewer of Franklin, and they were married in 1957.

In January 1961, Edwina graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth.  At TCU, she was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority. While still a student, Edwina and Morris (M. Glen) lived in Fort Hood and Fort Riley, Kansas during his time in the Army. She would later earn a master’s degree in education from Texas A&M in August 1968 as well as reading specialist and administrator certificates.

Her teaching career included five years in the Everman Independent School District and 33 years in the Bryan Independent School District at Milam Elementary, Henderson Elementary and Houston Elementary, where she mostly taught second grade.  Edwina served in leadership roles for the local chapter and district office of the Texas State Teachers Association, including president and vice president. She also served as president of the teacher society Delta Kappa Gamma.  She was always regarded as a master teacher by her administrators and teaching colleagues.

The impact Edwina made in her nearly 40 years in education is immeasurable. For decades after her retirement, former students approached her to thank her. Such encounters included in a London airport, on board a Caribbean cruise, and most recently, at St. Joseph Health Regional Hospital in Bryan shortly before her passing.

Edwina loved to travel.  She and M. Glen traveled the world, including trips to the British Isles, China, Australia, Eastern Europe and Alaska. They enjoyed several family cruises, including one to celebrate their 60^th anniversary in 2017. She also enjoyed playing bridge and dominoes with longtime friends.

Faith was important to Edwina.  She was a devout Christian, and a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Bryan, where she enjoyed attending Sunday School, singing in the choir, and volunteering at Vacation Bible School for many years.  The family is reassured that Edwina is whole again in the arms of her Savior.

Family was Edwina’s most treasured earthly gift. She was a constant fixture at events in which her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were involved, from orchestra, choir, band and theatre performances to softball and baseball games.  She never met a stranger and she loved to tell anyone who would listen all about her grandchildren.

And on Saturdays in the fall, Edwina could usually be found at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, rooting on her beloved Horned Frogs and drinking Dr Pepper.  She and M. Glen were TCU football season ticket holders for over 50 years.

Edwina’s family, from her husband and son to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, feel blessed to have had so many years of love and memories with her.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Virginia and Edwin McNeel, and her grandson, Keith Eastep.

Edwina is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Morris Glen Brewer; son Edwin Glen Brewer and wife Kathleen; sisters-in-law Doris Theiss (Raymond, deceased) and Barbara Brewer (Dan, deceased); grandchildren Nicole Brewer; Kristie Clark and husband Rob; Randi McAleese and husband Jeremy; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.