Emily Kate Brewer for the last few years of her life suffered a lot of health problems — COPD and diabetes — but she never sought to call attention to her problems. Instead, she focused on others and what she could do to help them.

“My mother was a walking miracle. She had coded five times and come back and had been on a ventilator twice. Every time the doctors counted her out, she came back,” said her daughter, Derina Turner.

“Mom, though sick much of the past 15 years, was a happy person, always smiling. She love her family more than anything. Next was her church family at Southside Christian,” Derina shared.

Friends at Village East remember most Mrs. Brewer’s smile, which she shared with everyone. “It stretched across this building,” said one resident.

Mrs. Brewer grew up in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. She and her husband and children came to Elizabethton 37 years ago in a job-related move. “My mom was all about family. She enjoyed being with family whether it be a camping trip to the Little Wilbur Campground or having Sunday dinner together,” Derina said.

Mrs. Brewer was on oxygen all the time and took three shots a day for her diabetes, however, she never complained. “She made the best of her situation and endeared herself to people around her. Mom enjoyed the good times and the good days she had. She made life good for others with her laughter and spirited personality,” Derina said.

Mrs. Brewer lived for a time at Village East Apartments, where she was a friend to all. In earlier years she had attended East Side Christian Church, but was a member of Southside Christian.

“As long as mom was able, she did Sunday dinner for her family. In later years, she had Sunday dinner with her daughter’s family,” Derina said.

Mrs. Brewer and her husband, Richard, were married 60 years before his death. They were the parents of six children, and had 14 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren.

Derina said her mother enjoyed crocheting and  playing Bingo at Bojangles with her friends at Southside Christian. “My mom was a people person. She never met a stranger. Once she met you, it was as though she had known you forever,” said Derina. “It was the little things in life that brought her the most pleasure.”

Mrs. Brewer collected the small solar desktop toys. “She loved those things and had bunches of them,” said Derina.

On the serious side, Mrs. Brewer’s favorite scripture was Psalms 23 and her favorite hymn was “In The Garden.”

Mrs. Brewer died Sept. 5 at the age of 81. There’s no doubt her smile today is even bigger and wider than it was here on earth.