J. Ralph Brewer

James Ralph Brewer, a resident of Cleveland and native of Neeces, South Carolina, passed away on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at his home in Cleveland. An Ordained Bishop in the Church of God, Brewer served the denomination in a number of leadership roles. Licensed for the ministry in 1957, Rev. Brewer took his first pastorate in 1958 in Bismarck, North Dakota, followed by San Antonio, Texas, and from 1963-1966 in Albany, Oregon. From 1966-1976 he spent ten years in leadership as State Youth and Christian Education Director in Arkansas (1966-1970), Louisiana (1970-1974), and Michigan (1974-1976). From 1976-1980 he and his family moved to Cleveland for the first time where he served from 1976-1980 as Administrative Assistant in the General Department of Youth and Christian Education. He was Administrative Bishop (State Overseer) of North and South Dakota from 1980-1984 and returned to Cleveland in 1984 to serve as Editorial Administrative Assistant for Pathway Press and Editor of the Church of God Evangel. He served as Pastor of the Cramerton Church of God, in North Carolina from 1986 until his retirement in 1995. Rev. Brewer is a former member of the Board of Directors for Northwest Bible College, the General Youth and Christian Education board and the Church of God Publishing House Board. He received his formal education from Northwest Bible College, San Antonio College and Lee University. He authored Journey Through the Bible, When the Spirit Moves study guide, the Peacemaker Resource Manual, Vol. 1 and editor of Jesus is Precious: Sermons on Sufficiency of Christ. His sermon, entitled "Jesus is Precious" was the inspiration of the gospel song by the same name written by Bennie Triplett. His hobbies included collecting coins, knives and antique cars. He was an accomplished musician, playing numerous brass instruments, the piano, organ and guitar. Reverend Brewer is survived by his wife of 53 years, Aurelia, and their three children: Rhonda Williams, and her husband, Michael; Carmela Byrd and her husband, Joseph; and Stacy Brewer and his wife, Lisa. Grandchildren include Tina Fletcher, Shaun Williams, ndrea Cornprobst, Abigail Brewer, Kayla Brewer, Emma Byrd and Riley Brewer. He was the great grandfather to Michael Williams, Alex Williams, Emily Williams, Haley Williams, Griffin Fletcher, Kendal Cornprobst, and Hayden Cornprobst. Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 17, 2011 at 2 p.m. at the North Cleveland Church of God Dixon Chapel, located at 335 11th Street in Cleveland, Tennessee. Entombment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Saturday from 12 noon - 2 p.m. at the church prior to the service. Grissom Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements. To send an online condolence to the family, please visit www.grissomfh.net.