Fern C. Brewster

FERN CROSS BREWSTER died peacefully in her home Friday, April 12, after an extended illness. She was born February 7, 1933, the second child of Bessie Frances Cross and Ernest Britton Cross. She was preceded in death by her half-sisters, Helen Smither and Dorothy Snyder, her half-brother, Thomas King, and a granddaughter, Evangeline Tittley. She is survived by her husband of 61 years Jerry Brewster; five daughters, Teresa Tittley, Valerie Ratkai, Cyndi Brewster, Marcie Brewster and Rachel Doughty; her brother Britton Cross, her sister Josephine Butler and brother-in-law Ken Brewster. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was a graduate of Karns High School in Knox County, Tennessee. She attended Emory and Henry College in Virginia and Memphis State University, earning both an undergraduate and a master’s degree in sociology. Her interest in working with seniors led her to serve at the Shepherd’s Center of St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church and MIFA in developing programs for seniors. She was a volunteer for the Suicide and Crisis Intervention Center and served as a counselor for adults with learning disabilities at the United Methodist Lakeshore Assembly. She was a member of the Whitehaven Book Club. As her daughters were growing up, she became active in the Girl Scouts, enjoying working with the girls as wells as becoming a leader in what was then the Tenn-Ark-Miss Girl Scout Council. She was in charge of the scout cookie program for the entire Council for three years, and had a major part in naming a newly introduced butter cookie “The Trefoil.” She was on the Board of the Whitehaven Community Concert Series, serving as President for two years. The Whitehaven Kiwanis Club awarded her the Frank Rickets Community Service Award for 1993-94. She was active for many years on the Board of Directors for Wesley Senior Ministries and the Wesley Senior Ministries Foundation. Fern enjoyed music and participated with the Memphis Symphony Chorus and the Sara Beth Causey Chorale. She was a member of Covenant United Methodist Church choir and the United Methodist Women. She was an active quilter in the church’s quilting program. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to Covenant United Methodist Church. A memorial service will be held at Covenant on Tuesday, April 16 at 3 p.m. with a visitation at 2 p.m. Fern wished to be remembered as a kind, gracious and caring person. Online condolences may be expressed at www.memphisfuneralhome.net. Memphis Funeral Home And Memorial Gardens 5599 Poplar Ave. (901)725-0100