Alice Faye Brewer

March 16, 1940 – December 3, 2023

After a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease, Alice Faye (West) Brewer transitioned home to rest with her personal Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, December 3rd, 2023, at the age of 83 in her home in Rainbow City, Alabama surrounded by her family. She was the foundation and glue that held our family together, and our lives will never be the same. It would be inaccurate to say Faye lost her battle because she never stopped fighting. No matter how sick she was, she stayed determined. When anyone else would have broken, Faye remained strong. Through her, we know what resilience and perseverance truly look like. Faye did not know how to quit, no matter the odds. Just because she isn’t here, it doesn’t mean she lost her fight. She was a warrior to the end, inspiring her family and friends.

Faye is survived by her loving and devoted daughter, Alison Brewer Bowling; her grandchildren who were the loves of her life, Cole Bowling, Tori Lee (Hayden), and Cale Bowling; and her precious great-grandson, Tucker Lee; her sister, Linda (West) Freeman; her brother, Larry West; many nieces and nephews; and countless friends.

Faye was preceded in death by her loving mother, Nellie Rebecca (Taylor/Harris) West; and her siblings whom she adored: Mavis (West) Carroll, Roy West, Jenny (West) Burgess, Wayne West, Ronald West, and Jimmy West.

Faye was the sixth of nine children born at home to Nellie Rebecca (Taylor/Harris) West on Saturday, March 16th, 1940, in Crossville, Alabama in DeKalb County. Faye was the first in her family to graduate high school (Geraldine High School, 1957). She stayed close with her friends and many of her classmates and loved to attend their reunions.

As her older siblings before her, Faye worked to support her family. She had a strong work ethic and instilled that in her daughter and grandchildren. Faye had many jobs from working as labor in the fields to working in sock mills. She loved to tell her daughter and grandchildren stories about picking cotton and made sure that she took them to cotton fields to show them how it was done.

When the opportunity arose, Faye moved to Gadsden to live with her sister, Jenny, and attended Gadsden Business College where she completed the Secretarial Accountant Course in May of 1958 and began her lifelong vocation in administration. Continuing her education throughout her lifetime was important to Faye. She obtained her real estate and broker’s license. Later in life, she went back to school taking night and weekend classes while raising her daughter and achieved an Associate’s Degree from Gadsden State Community College. From being an employee and also a student, Faye dearly loved her Gadsden State Family.

For as long as she was able, Faye lived life to the fullest. She was a strong, wonderful single mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was a dedicated learner, having succeeded in every field she pursued. After a long career at Gadsden State Community College, Faye followed her heart’s calling to care for babies in the daycare of her church (Twelfth Street Baptist Church). After she retired, she dedicated her time to her grandchildren, making them the center of her world. This was her greatest joy in life. Faye loved watching her grandchildren and their friends, whom she loved as her own, participate in all activities they enjoyed. She was one of their loudest fans, always on the sidelines cheering them on. They knew they would always find their Nana’s loving gaze in the audience at every performance and program. She would always be waiting for them at the end to give them a big hug and kiss.

Not only did Faye love to watch her grandchildren from the sidelines, she participated with each of her grandchildren as a student of martial arts at Ray Davis TaeKwonDo in Rainbow City. She ensured her grandchildren had everything they needed and more. Faye worked with them during and after class and at home to make sure they advanced in their belts. Faye received her First-Degree Black Belt at the age of 62. Her grandchildren loved attending board breaking clinics and competitions with their grandmother to cheer her on as she took to the mat to spar when she was well into her 60s.

Faye loved to travel and took many memorable trips. She especially enjoyed many traveling adventures with her brother, Wayne, and her favorite travel partner, her baby sister, Linda. They were able to share so many precious memories together.

Most of all, Faye loved her family. She instilled in them strong values that will serve them well. She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, December 8th, 2023, at Hilltop Community Church, 314 3rd Avenue, Glencoe, AL 35905. Visitation will be from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm, followed by a funeral service beginning at 1:30 pm. There will be no graveside service. The Reverend Sherri Reynolds will officiate. Morgan Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Faye loved to be outdoors and most of all loved to work in her garden and flowerbeds. While flowers are welcome and appreciated, the family would also be grateful for your consideration in making a donation in her honor to Enviado Para Amar, a nonprofit organization her grandson, Cole, helped found. The organization’s objectives are discipleship and education for teens in Reynosa, Mexico. For more information about the organization and how to make a donation, please visit www.enviado.net

Special thanks to each of Faye’s dedicated sitters and to the staff of Gentiva Hospice who took excellent care of her and showed great compassion to not only her but also to her family.