Juanita Brewer

Juanita Brewer was born February 10, 1934 to Ola Mae and Oscar Thompson.  She departed this life unexpectedly on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at Silver Cross Hospital peacefully in her sleep.  

Juanita grew up in Louin, MS and graduated from New Prospect where she played basketball as a point guard. 

She later moved to Joliet, IL where she married Arlester Brewer, Sr. in 1954, and later had three children and three step-children.   Juanita was a member of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church and enjoyed attending bible study and church on Sundays.  She had a passion for cooking and spent most of her time preparing wonderful meals for her family and friends.  She made the most amazing desserts such as cookies and her famous fried pies.  Juanita loved being around people and people loved being around her.  She has a pure heart of gold and never made an enemy.  She loved everyone and everyone felt it in their hearts.  Juanita loved to laugh, have a good time, and just loved being around her family. If you had a problem, Juanita would give you great advice, but if you are out of line, she would put you in your place without yelling.  She was amazing and treated everyone with respect and everyone returned the favor.  She has always told her family that when she passed on to not weep because she lived her best life.  

Juanita worked at the local YMCA as cook for many years and after that experience, she then joined the St. Patrick Residence Nursing Home as one of the head cooks.  She worked there for over 30 years until she was no longer able to serve in that capacity.  

Juanita is preceded in death by her husband, Arlester Brewer Sr., her parents, Oscar and Ola Mae Thompson, brothers, Ernest Thompson and  Adolph Thompson, sisters, Annie (Quitman-deceased) Moffett and Ruthie Mae (Milton-deceased) Moffett. 

Juanita's life will forever be cherished in the lives of her three children, Lester Earl Brewer Sr., Charlotte R. Brewer, and Raymond L. (Rennetta) Brewer; step-children, Arlester Brewer Jr., Arlesha (Emanuel) Lowe, and Arlindsey Brewer; brothers, Larry (Corrine) Thompson, Oliver (Lydia) Thompson; sisters, Carrie Perry and Diane (Robert) Evans; sister-in-law, Arecia Bell; 20 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and a host of friends.  Special friends, Lucille McGee and Sheila Page. 

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