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Harlan Benton Carson “Junior” Brewer, husband of Nancy Helen Hughes Brewer of Beattyville, Kentucky and the son of the late Luther Carson and Ethel Lee Pearson Brewer was born in Owsley, Kentucky on September 17, 1932. He had a peaceful passing at the Hospice Care Plus Compassionate Care Center in Richmond, Kentucky on March 12, 2020 at the age of 87 years, 5 months, and 24 days. Junior came to Beattyville with his mother when he was 2 ½ years old, where she started Brewer’s Grocery on Depot Hill. The store moved to the corner of State Hwy 11 and Main Street in 1953 when he graduated from Lee County High School. After high school he joined the United States Navy where he worked as an airplane mechanic, but after two years, he returned to his home in Beattyville to work with his father hauling coal off of Sturgeon Creek. Two years later, Junior got married and started working for his mother at the grocery, later taking over the business. Brewer’s Foodtown was built in its former location in 1971. He later re-opened the store in its last location located across from the former Beattyville Elementary School until the store closed in 2005. He spent most of his life as a businessman and civic leader and among other business endeavors he owned and operated Brewer’s Laundromat, and was a member of the Beattyville City Council for 33 years. In 1993 he was selected as Lee County Citizen of the Year and served as the Grand Marshall of the Lee County Woolly Worm parade. In 2005, Junior was awarded the Lee County Woolly Worm “Hall of Fame” Award. In 2017 he was awarded the Lee County Lifetime Achievement Award. He belonged to the Proctor Masonic Lodge, was a member of the Shriner’s, the Three Forks Chapter of the V.F.W., as well as the McGuire Presbyterian Church. Junior was a Kentucky Colonel and also a former member of the Lee County Chamber of Commerce and was a founding member of the Lee County Woolly Worm Festival.
In addition to his wife, Nancy, he is survived by his daughter, Sally Johnson and husband Darwin of Floyds Knobs, Indiana, his son, John Benton of Beattyville, Kentucky, his son Clarence Carson of Lexington, Kentucky, his daughter, Kimberly Ann of Beattyville, his daughter Rebecca Strohacker and husband Donnie of Winchester, Kentucky, and his daughter, Victoria Barrett and husband Chris also of Winchester; 11 grandchildren, Kyle and Nicholas Johnson of Floyds Knobs, Indiana, Tessica Patrick (Raymond) of Richmond, Kentucky, Christopher Brewer (Sarah) of Beattyville, Kentucky, Stephen and David Brewer of Lexington, Jennifer Shackelford (Steven) of Beattyville, Ashley Strohacker (Jack Combs) of Richmond, Kentucky, Christie Strohacker (Scott Daugherty) of Richmond, Kentucky, Chris Barrett, Jr. (Rachel) of Winchester, Kentucky, and Hunter Barrett also of Winchester; as well as 12 great grandchildren. Junior has one brother, Gary Patrick, one niece, a great niece, and a great nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister-in-law, Brenda Brewer.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lee County Passionately Pink Organization, 1482 Hwy. 498, Beattyville, KY 41311, or to the Feed The Children Organization, 333 N. Meridian, Oklahoma City, OK 73107,
www.feedthechildren.org (1-800-627-4556)
Due to current health restrictions, a full memorial service will be held at a later date.