Today we’re here to remember and celebrate Vera Brewer, a woman who was loved and who left a mark on every one of us.

She was born on May 17, 1935, in Atarque, New Mexico, to Juan and Barbara Baca. Later in life, on July 14, 1955, she married the love of her life, William “Bill” Brewer. They spent 54 years together, building a life full of love, family, and memories. In 1969, they moved to Cleveland, Texas, where they made a home and raised a family. After Bill passed in 2010, Vera later moved to Livingston, where she stayed until her final journey.

Family meant everything to her. She was the proud mom of three daughters, Barbara Rollins, Debbie Durrenberger, and Martha Ross. She loved her sons-in-law, Jerry, Dennis, and Kenneth. Her family grew big, and she loved every minute of it. She had ten grandchildren, twenty nine great grandchildren, and five great great grandchildren. That’s a legacy most people can only dream of.

If you really knew Vera, you knew her love showed up best in the kitchen. Her homemade chili beans and Mexican pizza were famous, and if you ever had her sopapillas, or “Pop Up!” as we called them, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Those meals weren’t just food, they were how she brought everyone together.

She loved doing crafts, crocheting, cooking, and most of all spending time with those she loved. She didn’t need anything fancy, just family around her and maybe a kitchen that smelled like enchiladas.

Grandma had a way of making people feel loved, welcomed, and at home. She taught us the importance of family, staying connected, and showing love through actions, not just words.

One thing that truly defined Vera was her strong faith. She was a devoted Catholic, and her faith wasn’t just something she talked about, it was how she lived. She believed in prayer, kindness, and trusting God through every season of life. Her faith gave her strength and peace, and it’s comforting to know that same faith now carries her home.

We’re going to miss her more than we can say. But we’re also incredibly thankful, thankful for the memories, the laughter, the recipes, and the love she gave so freely. Her legacy lives on in every one of us and in every generation that comes after.

Vera, mom, Grandma, we love you. Thank you for everything. You’ll never be forgotten.