Obituary of Leonard Brewer

Mr. Bertis Leonard Brewer, 91, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, uncle and friend, died October 4th at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home in Winston-Salem after a courageous battle with cancer. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, October 11th at 1:00 pm at West Market St. United Methodist Church, 302 W. Market St. Greensboro. Funeral service will be held at 2:30 pm in the sanctuary with Rev. Bill Ellison officiating. Graveside service will follow at Lakeview Memorial Park on US Highway 29 North/3600 O'Henry Blvd. Leonard was born in Mt. Vernon Springs, NC, on July 31, 1920 to the late Dora Phillips Brewer and William Bert Brewer. He graduated from Bonlee High School in 1937 and served in the Civilian Conservation Corps. He was a Staff Sergeant in the US Army Air Force from 1942-1945 on Tinian Island, serving as a radio operator on a B-29. In October 2010 he was fortunate to go on the Triad Flight of Honor with a group of Piedmont veterans. Leonard worked for the US Postal Service, rising through the ranks from mail sorter to tour superintendant of the Greensboro Post Office and the Bulk Mail Center. He retired in 1978. Leonard married Ruth Poole on her birthday, November 28, 1945, just two weeks after returning from the war and they bought the home on Northwood Street where they lived their entire life together. He and Ruth enjoyed many years of traveling in their Airstream trailer to the coast where they reunited with friends each year. They also doted on their two toy poodles, Sugar and Muffin, who gave them so much pleasure. They were married for 52 years until her death in 1997. Leonard had a wry sense of humor and loved to give nicknames to family and friends. His kindness, patience, and easy-going nature endeared him to all who knew him. He gave generously of his time and talents to many people. Leonard had a special place in his heart for children. Neighborhood children, nieces and nephews and his grandchildren always gravitated to him. He delighted in spending time with them and helping them learn things like how to hit a golf ball or make a slingshot or ride a bike. An avid golfer, he enjoyed the camaraderie of a large group of golfing friends and made five holes in one, four of those after age 80. He played several times a week, traveling to different courses with his golf group, up until a few years ago when his health declined. A long-time member of West Market Street United Methodist Church, he and Ruth nurtured many babies and toddlers in the church nursery. He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Anita and Rod Pulley of Winston-Salem and Lynne and Don Peer of Eatonton, GA , four grandchildren: Brad Pulley of Winston-Salem, Emily Pulley Puckett and husband Jay of Columbia, MO, Miller Peer, Harrison Peer and wife Toney, and one great-grandson Robinson Peer, all of Atlanta, GA. He is also survived by one sister, Audrey Craven of Ramseur, NC, many nieces and nephews, and special friend Allene Rayle of Augusta, GA. His siblings, Irene Mendenhall, Fonnie Watson, Annie Baker, Helen Frye, Pete Brewer, and Bunn Brewer, predeceased him. The family is deeply grateful for the outstanding staff of the Hospice and Palliative Care Center in Winston-Salem. Their expertise, compassion, and steadfast presence were invaluable to Leonard and his family during his final illness. We also thank our loyal friends and family members for their ongoing love and support. Memorial contributions may be made to The First Tee, a program for the development of youth through golf, at www.thefirstee.org or The First Tee, World Golf Village, 425 S. Legacy Trail, St. Augustine, FL 32092; Caring Bridge, www.caringbridge.org ; or the Hospice and Palliative Care Center, www.hospicecarecenter.org , 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103. In honor of the memory of this gentle man, we hope you will bestow an act of kindness to someone today and every day. Lambeth-Troxler Funeral Home is assisting the Brewer family. The obituary and online condolences may be viewed at www.lambethtroxlerfuneralhome.com