Obituary of Barney F. Brewer

COLUMBIA— Barney Brewer Sr. was called to be with his Lord on October 20, 2013. He was born on September 27, 1922. His mother was Marie Marthers Alberson. Due to his mother's illness of tuberculosis he was raised and adopted by his aunt, Louise Brewer and uncle, Luther Brewer. He attended Columbia city schools and graduated from University High School where he excelled in baseball and basketball. Upon graduation he married his sweetheart and wife of almost 72 years, Mary Mathis Brewer. After high school Barney joined the US Marine Corps 2nd Marine Division and was off to WWII where he participated in the beach assault of Tarawa Atoll where he was wounded and received the Purple Heart. After recovering from wounds he rejoined his 2nd Marine Division in the Pacific and participated in the beach assault on Saipan. Upon his Honorable Discharge from the Marines he returned to Columbia to be reunited with his wife, Mary and daughter, Mary Dean Brewer. They soon had their baby boomer son (and his best pal) Barney "Buddy" Brewer Jr. Barney spent many years in the auto parts business and retired as parts manager of The Toyota Center in Columbia. He was an active member in Jamil Shrine Temple where he served as Potentate in 1984. He also had Lifetime memberships in: Marine Corps League, 2nd Marine Division Assoc., American Legion, VFW, Broad River Masonic Lodge, Jamil Temple and Eastern Star. In his younger years he was an Ordained Deacon and taught Sunday School at Denny Terrace Baptist Church. He was fortunate to return to Saipan and participate in the 50th reunion of the battle Saipan in 1994 and participate in Honors Flight in 2009. After retirement he helped his wife in her business, Mary Brewer Insurance Info Services, until her retirement at her age 81. He was predeceased by daughter, Dr. Mary Dean Brewer Alley. He is survived by his wife Mary M. Brewer, son, Barney "Buddy" Brewer Jr., (Lynn), granddaughters, Weatherly B. Landry( Jack), Dr. Caroline B. Sellars (Brett) and two great grandsons, Gus Landry and Boone Landry. The family would like to thank the Dorn Veterans Hospital in Columbia for the years of excellent health care that they provided during his illness with Parkinson's disease and his good friend and care giver, Beatrice Calvin for her excellent care. Visitation and refreshments with the family will be on Wednesday October 23rd at 12:00 until 1:45 at Greenlawn Funeral Home on 845 Leesburg Road in Columbia. The Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. at that same location. Reverend J. William Powell and Reverend Fred Kaigler will officiate. Pallbearers: John Moody, Pat Vinson Jr., Mark Moak, Jack Landry, Brett Sellars, Bernard Carl Sullivan and Ben Heywood Honorary pallbearers: Cy Havird, LaBoyd Mathis, Doug Mathis, Tom Gault, Tommy Marshall, Norman Moak, Tausig "Butch" Moak, Billy Warren and Jimmy Warren. Memorials can be made to: Boys Farm, P.O. Box 713, Newberry SC 29108; Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018; Shriner's Children's Hospital Foundation, 950 W. Faris Rd., Greenville, SC 29065 or the charity of your choice.