Mabel Brewer Obituary

Mabel Elizabeth (Lawson) Brewer passed away peacefully at home after an extended illness on July 1, 2024, at the age of 87, comforted by her daughter and family. Born at home in rural Montrose, Missouri, on October 6, 1936, Mabel was the third daughter and fifth child of Julia DeWeese and Cleveland Lawson.
Mabel was often described as a strong, independent woman filled with kindness, creativity, and resilience. Raised during the Great Depression, she attended school at Oak Grove and graduated from Appleton City High School. She pursued higher education at Central Missouri State University, now known as the University of Central Missouri (UCM), where she earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in education.
Early years on the family farm were filled with joy, adventure and hard work. Mabel created fun activities for her younger sisters, like painting circles around the eyes of their mule, Pete, and climbing wild grape vines. She also enjoyed taking her sisters to pick strawberries while riding their horse, Rex. As a young girl, she served as a teacher assistant during Vacation Bible School (VBS), showcasing her dedication to nurturing and guiding others from a young age.
Mabel's professional career in elementary education took her to various locations in Missouri, including Amoret, Lowry City, Hume, Hale and Ballard. She also taught in a suburb of Chicago, Illinois, Colorado Springs, Colorado and taught English grammar in Hawaii. On September 10, 1966, she married Willard Brewer at the First Baptist Church in Appleton City. They lived on their farm near Appleton City, where they enjoyed crop farming and later cattle farming. Mabel loved taking her family on picnics and adventures around the farm and hosting family reunions. Even late in life, she found joy in checking the cattle on the farm. She especially enjoyed hosting and visiting with family and friends.
Mabel spent several years as a homemaker and mother to Cynthia who was born in 1968. Camping and traveling were a longtime favorite pastime that she enjoyed with her daughter and husband. She also actively participated as a leader in the Hudson Hustler's 4H club. In the late 1980s, she began teaching kindergarten at Hudson R-IX, where she worked for several years. Mabel was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Appleton City, helping with Bible school, teaching Sunday School, and supporting the church in numerous ways. After retirement, Mabel found joy in helping raise and homeschool her three grandchildren: Emily, Derek, and Benjamin.
Mabel is survived by her daughter Cynthia Brewer Spangler (Larry); her three grandchildren, Emily, Derek, and Benjamin (Karmen); her sister Louetta Lawson Choat (Kenneth) of Colorado Springs; her brother Robert Lawson (Janice) of Ames, Iowa; and her sister-in-law Selva Lawson (Clyde). Mabel was preceded in death by her husband Willard in 2002, and her siblings John Lawson (Imojeanne), Clyde Lawson (Louise), Helen Lawson Romero (Harold), Mary Lawson Thayer (William), and Jeanette Lawson Fairburn (William).
Mabel Brewer's life exemplified service, dedication, and love for her family, church, and community. Memories of her will be cherished by all who knew her, and we find comfort knowing she is now in her heavenly home with God her Father, walking among the most beautiful gardens and flowers.
Memorials can be made out to Little Reading Hour of Appleton City or Butler Library