Jewel "Granny" Brewer

Jewel “Granny” Brewer, born on December 14, 1930, and passed from her earthly home into the presence of her Lord and Savior on January 16, 2026, at the age of 95. She had always threatened to live to be 100, but God had other plans.

Jewel was a member of Meadow View Baptist Church for forty years, where every Sunday morning she taught the children about the love of Jesus. She is currently a member of Southside Baptist Church.

Though it closed years ago, the downtown Walgreens on Gay Street once had a soda fountain and restaurant. Jewel spent thirty-five faithful years working there, first as a waitress, then as the main cook.

Jewel didn’t come from a touchy-feely family, so the way you knew she loved you was that she gave you a hard time. Her smile was her best feature, and her sense of humor was at the forefront of every interaction. She did her best to make everyone think she was a tough old bird, but her heart overflowed with love. Nothing made her happier than spending time with family and friends. She never met a stranger and always made everyone who met her feel important.

She firmly believed that idle hands are the devil’s workshop, so each family member was gifted with at least one of her many lovingly crafted quilts and with the many ceramic pieces she created over decades.

Jewel was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 49 years, Benny Eugene Brewer; her parents, Mabel Richards Elmore and William McKinley Elmore; and her siblings, Carrie Dunn, Lloyd Elmore, Doris Choate, Nadine Bostwick, and William Elmore, Jr, and special nephew, Roy Vance who was like a brother.

She is survived by her son, Jim Brewer (Tori), and her daughters, Jewell Hicks (Bill) and Teresa Maxey. Grandchildren include David Anderson, Michelle Smith (Chris), Kate Hurlbut (Mike), Craig Staley (Elizabeth), Justin Staley (Tabatha), and Brett Staley.

Great-grandchildren, Piper Wheeler, Nick and Ryland Smith, siblings Hunter Staley (Heather) and Harley Reno (Bradley), siblings Samantha and Bradley Staley, sisters Audrey and Emma Staley, and sisters Kendall, Avery, Ella, and Addy Hurlbut, and her first great-great grandson, Robert Craig Staley II, the delight of her life.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons and great-grandsons.

Be at peace, Granny. We will miss you, but heaven awaits us, too. Until then, God has his hands full.

Visitation will be held at Berry Highland South, located at 9010 Simpson Rd, Knoxville, TN 37920, on January 20, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm with the funeral service immediately following 7:00 pm.

Family and friends will gather at 12:45pm on January 21, 2026, for a graveside service at 1:00 pm in the Garden of the Four Gospels, at Berry Highland South Cemetery, 9010 E Simpson Rd, Knoxville, TN 37920. Services will be officiated by Rev. Clarence Gresham and Rev. Jeremy Gresham.