Donald Lee Brewer

Donald Lee Brewer, 83, of Gainesville passed away Wednesday January 21, 2026 at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center-Gainesville surrounded by his loving family. Don was born June 20, 1942 to Grady and Irene Brewer in a loving household that included his grandparents, John and Ellen Jordan, as well as his great uncle, Thomas Hogan. By his ninth birthday, all were deceased except his mother and sister.

Don is preceded in death by his high school sweetheart and wife of 47 years, Joey Dennis Brewer. He is survived by his loving and supportive wife, Abby Chapman Brewer, sons Jason (Rebecca) of Cincinnati, OH, and Stephen (Laura) of Gainesville, grandchildren Barrett, Jordan, Ashley, Anna Catherine, and Caroline and great grandsons, Andrew, and Bennett. He is also survived by his stepchildren, Casey Webb and McKenzie Childers (Nick) and sister Linda Key of Trinity NC.

A graduate of Star High School in North Carolina, Don was co-captain of the basketball and baseball team. He graduated from East Carolina University and received his masters degree from the University of North Georgia. Don Realized in the second grade that his goal was to be a high school coach. He was able achieve that at West Montgomery High School in Mt. Gilead, North Carolina, Cherokee High School in Canton, Georgia, and Gainesville High School in Gainesville. Additionally, he was also Head Basketball Coach at Gainesville Junior College, later to become the University of North Georgia.

In 1977 he accepted a sales management position with Henny Penny Corporation of Eaton, Ohio where he served for 32 years, retiring as National Sales Manager. During that time, he was able to coach the Post 7 American Legion baseball team for 22 years winning 8 state championships and having the first team from Georgia ever to appear in the American Legion World Series. One of his proudest accomplishments was to have 128 of his players receive college scholarships, 25 drafted into professional baseball, and two reaching the big leagues, Jody Davis and Cris Carpenter.

Don received the Gainesville Kiwanis Youth Service Award in 1988 and served on the Gainesville Board of Education from 1991-1993. He was active in Gainesville First Baptist Church, an avid member of the sanctuary choir, an active Deacon many years, and Chairman of the Deacons on three different terms. Additionally, he was active in Baptist life by being a member of the Board of Directors of Baptist Today (later Nurturing Faith), serving three terms as Chairman. In different years, he was a member of the Coordinating Council of the Georgia Cooperative Baptist Fellowship as well as Governing Board of the National Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.

Don will be remembered for always wanting to help others. He would always lend a hand to those in need, would let anyone borrow anything required, always demonstrating God’s Love to all people. He will also be remembered for his sarcastic humor, his everyday smile, and living life to the fullest until the very end.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the First Baptist Church of Gainesville Sanctuary Choir, 751Green Street, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 in memory of Don.

A celebration of life service will be held Wednesday January 28, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church on Green Street. Dr. Jeremy Shoulta and Dr. Tony Lankford will officiate. The family will receive friends in the church banquet hall following the services. A private family inurnment will be held in the Church Columbarium.

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

Arrangements are in the care of Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Georgia 30501.

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