Jan Michelle Hunter Brewer, PhD, age 77, of New Braunfels, Texas, passed away on October 7, 2025, in San Antonio.

Born on June 17, 1948, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Jan was the beloved daughter of Edward B. and Jeane (Shugar) Hunter. Her family legacy was one of service, strength, and resilience. Among her maternal ancestors were a sergeant in the Continental Army who served under General George Washington during the Revolutionary War, and a Union soldier in the Civil War who later journeyed west from New Hampshire to Oregon including traveling by Conestoga wagon on the Oregon Trail.

Jan's mother, shaped by the hardships of the Great Depression, instilled in her a deep sense of independence and a commitment to serving others. She encouraged Jan to pursue either nursing or teaching—Jan chose both, dedicating 46 years of her life to nursing education and leadership.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Texas Christian University, followed by a Master's degree in High-Risk Maternal-Child Nursing from the University of Florida. She completed her PhD at Texas A&M University, a testament to her commitment to academic excellence and the advancement of nursing as a profession.  Jan was a founding member of three chapters of the international nursing excellence organization, Sigma Theta Tau.

Jan held faculty positions at Columbus State University in Georgia, the University of Texas at Austin, and California State University, Dominguez Hills, where she taught and mentored countless students. Later in her career, while living in California, she transitioned into hospital executive leadership, focusing on quality improvement, risk management, regulatory compliance, and education. As an Executive Director, she authored thousands of pages of policies, protocols, and training materials to meet the standards of local, state, federal, and accrediting bodies. Her clarity, precision, and leadership were widely respected.

Jan's alter ego was a Broadway star. A lifelong lover of musical theater, she began working at the box office of Casa Mañana Musical Theater in Fort Worth as a teenager. Her remarkable singing voice earned her a spot in the chorus, and at just 16, she received her professional Actor's Equity card. She went on to perform featured roles, including Mazeppa in Gypsy and Stupefyin' Jones in Li'l Abner. With her rich alto voice, she was often invited to sing at churches across Fort Worth.

Jan was also a wonderful cook, known especially for making the best peach cobbler. But above all, she cherished her family. Bryan's marriage to Carly was a blessed event.  The arrival of her granddaughters, Clara and Camille, brought her happiness beyond measure and filled her life with pride and love.

Jan is preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her devoted husband of 54 years, John Clark Brewer; her son, Bryan Brewer (Carly); and her cherished granddaughters, Clara and Camille.  She also leaves behind her in-laws, Mack (Janice) Brewer and Robert (Carol) Brewer along with numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Friday, October 17, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Doeppenschmidt Funeral Home in New Braunfels. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 1:00 PM at First United Methodist Church in New Braunfels.  Reception to follow at the church hall.