Obituaries

Opal was born to Jessie and Louise Houghton Rozell on August 11, 1930, in Parkin, Arkansas. She was raised by her father and stepmother, Ada Mae Swanigan-Rozell. Opal was united in marriage to the late Alex Brewer, Sr. on March 27, 1946. To this union, fourteen children were born, seven sons and seven daughters. The Brewer family later relocated to West Helena, Arkansas. At the age of 91, Opal Rozell Brewer passed away on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at the Maple Crest Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

Mother Brewer was a long-time, faithful member of Greater Power House Church of God in Christ under the leadership of the late Bishop Alex W. Smith. She diligently served on the Mother’s Board and other auxiliaries. During a Women in Ministry conference, Opal received a certificate of special honor for her many years of devoted service to the work of the Lord. The young people of her church and the community were drawn to her because of her nurturing and loving spirit.

Opal worked tirelessly as a cook for Holiday Inn and the Country Club. She was an excellent chef and enjoyed preparing meals for her family and anyone that was hungry. She sold Avon products for decades and was an entrepreneur in her own right. She was creative in generating extra finances for the home. The Arkansas Department of Health recognized Opal for her ten years of service as a home care aide.

Mother Brewer loved her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren with every fiber of her being, and there was nothing she wouldn’t do for them. Opal had a wonderful and unforgettable sense of humor that was appreciated by all who encountered her. In 2018, she moved to Omaha, Nebraska to be with her family. Until her health deteriorated, Opal attended Greater St. Paul Church of God in Christ under the watch care of Bishop Joseph L. Shannon, Sr.

Opal was preceded in death by her husband, Alex Brewer, Sr.; daughter, Maxine; stepdaughter, Betty Jean; two grandsons, Cornell and Kezarius; one granddaughter, Lisa; siblings, Berthella Porter, Ester Covington, Jessie Mae Lacey, and George Rozell.

Mother Opal Rozell Brewer leaves to cherish her memory: Her children, Shirley, Dexter (Patricia), Blanche, Bobby, Lynn (Liz), Jess, Sr., Tracy, and Rhonda (David) of Omaha, NE, Alex, Jr. (Sandra) and Shannon (Gayle) of Houston, TX, Patricia and Kent (BeBe) of Memphis, TN, and Arlisha of W. Helena, AR; 58 grandchildren, 100 great grandchildren, and a host of great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.