Addie Louise Estella Brewer, 94, of Portland, Tenn., died April 24 in Louisville, Ky. A loyal member of Parker’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, she was born in Portland on Jan. 27, 1931, to the late John William Buntin and Ruby Clair Hammonds.
An acclaimed nurse, she was respected and beloved by colleagues and co-workers. In 2003, the Tennessee Health Care Association honored her as its Caregiver of the Year. She was the first Black to graduate from her nursing school and spent 35 years at Sumner County Memorial Hospital in Gallatin. She eventually became the hospital’s first Black emergency room supervisor.
In 1997, she retired, only to return to work a few days later at Highland Manor Nursing Home – part-time, then full-time – during a comeback that lasted for 13 years.
Addie was preceded in death by her husband of more than 60 years, Lim Brewer; son, Michael Brewer; daughter, Jacqueline Young; parents, John and Ruby Buntin; brothers, John Homer Buntin, William Paul Holder; sisters, Ruth Holder, Pauline Holder and Earlene Buntin; and a half-sister, Carrie Terry.
She is survived by her half-sister, Cora West; children, Gerald Brewer, Pamela Hightower (Rod), Karen Brewer and Nichole McCoy; grandchildren, Jerry Brewer (Karen), Jaime Middleton Lawler (Ted), Kenneth Young, Jon Brewer (Megan), Kyle Hightower (Satta), Matkeia Brewer, Shane Brewer and Tylen-Howard McCoy; 12 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews and other cherished family and friends.
Please pray for her loved ones and others that loved her.
Arrangements are as follows:
Lie-in-state; Thursday, May 1, 2025 at Strawther & White Funeral Home – 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm.
Visitation: Friday; May 2, 2025 at Parker’s Chapel Church – 240 Airport Road, Portland TN – 11:00 am – 12:00 noon with homegoing service to follow.
Interment: Parker’s Chapel Cemetery.
This obituary was published by Strawther & White Funeral Home.
This obituary was published by Obituaries provided free for the community.
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