SAUNDRA STRONG BREWER BIOGRAPHY

Born the middle child of four siblings, I grew up with a competitive spirit and a determination to explore life with unwavering curiosity. I’ve always loved reading and writing. One of the most profound statements I’ve ever read is, “Worry looks behind. fear looks from side to side but faith looks up.”

It wasn’t until I was married and the mother of my first two sons that I stopped looking behind me and from side to side. I finally looked up and discovered God had been in my presence all along. The year I became a child of God was 1969.

After graduating from Lewis County High School in Vanceburg, Kentucky, I gained a broader education from the University of Kentucky and Old Dominion College of William and Mary, where I met my husband Jerry. (He claims I had to travel to Virginia to choose a quality partner.)

Before marrying Jerry in 1962, I worked as a stewardess for American Airlines. After marriage I worked in the Theater and in the Tidewater Light Opera Company as a choreographer.

Motherhood ( three sons and one daughter) captured my heart and most of my time from 1965 on. This life-long career taught me more and brought me more joy than anything else I’ve ever accomplished. Today Jerry and I enjoy the company of eleven adorable grandchildren. How blessed we are!

Among the more interesting jobs I acquired to help pay for Christian school and college fees for our four offspring include: Teaching drama in a Christian school; becoming a Bible store sales representative; managing a summer camp for 300 children; writing a syndicated column for local newspapers; keeping up with local news as a newspaper reporter; and writing/directing Christian drama for various churches.

I believe all of the above jobs were preparing me for the mission God has now given me as a volunteer teacher and chaplain for the women inmates of Lake County Jail. My faith in Christ grows on a daily basis with all the challenges presented by so many spiritually-needy women.

On a lighter side, I really enjoy golf, swimming and playing Pickleball. My claims-to-fame in the sports arena are being a National Pickleball Champion in 2002 and 2003 and winning a gold medal in swimming. There weren’t too many opportunities for girls to play sports where I grew up so my latent talents as a jock are just now surfacing…and I love being a Grandma Jock!!!