Brigadier Ethel Lola Brewer

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Promoted to Glory

Brigadier Ethel Lola Brewer was promoted to Glory on Nov. 1, 2010, from Escondido, Calif.

Ethel was born on Dec. 15, 1917, one of 10 children born to Fred and Sarah Brewer; three more children were born to Fred and Ellen, her stepmother.

In 1936 Ethel entered the School for Officer Training in Chicago, following in her parents’ footsteps. While in training, she set a long-standing record for selling the War Cry in Chicago’s saloons.

She was commissioned in 1937 with the Guardians of the Covenant Session.

Ethel served in various corps appointments until 1942 when she was appointed to the training college in Chicago. She later held appointments at divisional headquarters and Central Territorial Headquarters, serving in the editorial department, public relations department, youth department and education department.

Ethel transferred to the Southern Territory where she served for two years as candidates’ director until her relocation to the National Headquarters publication department. She finished her active career as the Christian education and publications director for the Western Territory.

During her career, Ethel wrote many of the territorial corps cadet lessons and Bible correspondence courses. In all her appointments she was active in corps, divisional and territorial songster groups, and she played the piano and organ whenever the need arose.

Ethel received her B.A. and M.A. in Christian education, completing her studies at McCormick Theological Seminary in 1970.

In retirement, Ethel served as secretary to the Southern California divisional commander. Also during this time she did graduate studies in gerontology at the University of Southern California.

Ethel is survived by her brother, Buzz Brewer, and many nieces and nephews.

Lt. Colonel Alfred Van Cleef will officiate a memorial service—supported by Major Darren Trimmer—at the Murrieta (Calif.) Corps on January 22, 2011, followed by a private internment in The Salvation Army section at Inglewood Memorial Park.


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