Loretta "Penny" Brewer (Lansing)

Mrs. Loretta "Penny" Brewer passed away Wednesday, February 2, 2022, at Hospice House of Mid-Michigan, in Lansing, Michigan. Age 81 years. She was born October 4, 1940, in Lansing, Michigan, the daughter of Foster Young and Lena Mae Lyles.

Penny was a proud student of West Junior, The Lincoln Center, and graduated from J. W. Sexton High School. She enjoyed cheerleading with her sister Peaches and best friends Ora Loring and Joy Ferguson. She cherished memories of roller skating as a teenager and sneaking over to Albion, and Idlewild, Michigan with her sisters and dear friends.

Loretta Irene Brewer, fondly known as “Pretty Penny” worked for The Lansing Insurance Agency who later  merged with The Chapman Insurance Agency, where she retired as a Commercial Underwriter.

Penny committed herself to serve in the church as an Usher for over 60 years. First at Union Missionary Baptist Church, followed by New Mount Calvary Baptist Church. She loved the Lord. When she needed strength, she would recite Psalm 23, and it would instantly bring her peace and comfort.

Her personality entered the room like a beautiful long-lasting fragrance. You knew someone exceptional entered the room because she literally shifted the energy with her vibrant smile and contagious laughter.  She loved spending time with family and friends and playing bingo, cards, and dancing at family reunions.

Pretty Penny was blessed with so many special friends and loved ones, far too numerous to list. She loved people and was a true social butterfly.

She and her husband, New Mt. Calvary Baptist Church Deacon Lee Brewer, made it their life mission to serve those in need.  Every Thanksgiving, students at MSU who were unable to return home, were invited to break bread at the Brewer table. Penny and Lee often provided clothing, financial aid, and other items to help those needing an extra hand.  These values were practiced and shared with each Brewer generation.

She leaves to cherish her loving memories, daughter, Fonda Brewer; grandchildren, Tray Brewer, Leroy Green, Amanda Brewer, and William Green; great-grandchildren, Kyla, Lily, Landon, Bryce, Kamala, Kai’liyah, Karter, Pops, Karon and Kayla; sisters-in-law, Juanita (Roy) Gold, and Sue Brewer; brothers-in-law, James McClure, Mitchell (Georgia Mae) Brewer, Frank Brewer, and Kenneth (Jackie) Brewer, Sr along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives including special daughters, Mahalia Payne and Loretta Chipp. Penny loved young people and was lovingly known as “Gram” to many special grandsons including, Trevor Buckner, Cameron Sanchez, Brian Foy, Thomelle Tatum, Tim Wells, DeAngelo Roland, and Eric Jackson, just to mention a few. 

Proceeded in death by her truest love, husband, Deacon Henry Lee Brewer; daughter, Sonya Young Lemon; grandson, Averill Lemon; mother, Lena Mae Lyles; father, Robert Young, Sr.; grandparents, Robert and Evelyn Chapman; sisters, Mary Lou (Willie) Pittman, Virginia “Peaches” McClure and brother, Robert (Ora Lee) Young, Jr.; parents-in-law, Mitchell and Ora Lee Brewer; sister-in-law, Bernice Brewer; brothers-in-law, Andrew Brewer, Oliver Brewer, and Albert Brewer.