Deborah Brewer

Deborah (Deb) Anne Phelps Brewer aged 74, died peacefully on March 14, 2024. She was a beloved daughter, sister, mother, aunt, grandmother, and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Deb was born on February 12, 1950, in Wichita, Kansas to Margaret (Margy) Anne Webb and Charles Robert (Bob) Phelps. Deb always said she had the best mom and dad in the world.

Deb was co-valedictorian of her high school class at Mount Carmel Academy. She went on to attend the University of Kansas, earning a Bachelor's of Science in math. Deb was a middle school math teacher and later taught math at KU.

As a single mom, Deb decided to follow in the footsteps of her idol Frank Lloyd Wright and went back to school to become an architect. During her career as an architect, she worked at three universities – KU, the University of Nevada, Reno, and finally the University of Oklahoma until her retirement in 2014.

Deb was an extremely hard worker throughout her career, but more than anything, Deb was a devoted mother, aunt, and grandmother. She said her grandchildren were the best thing that ever happened to her, and her happiest moments were with them.

Deb was smart, selfless, and downright hilarious. If you ever asked how she was, Deb would say, ‘Fine as frog hair split four ways.’ She was a ride-or-die Jayhawk and a lifelong democrat. She loved cultivating African violets and rescuing animals. Deb was creative and forever doing DIY projects. And when those projects were finished, Deb loved to curl up with one of her cats and watch Poirot or Perry Mason.

Deb was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Stephen Phelps. She is survived by her brothers John Phelps of Whitefish and Richard Phelps of San Diego, her sister Mary Dugan of Reno, her daughter, Amy Brewer of Norman, son David Brewer and his wife, Jenna, of Lawrence, and five grandchildren, of which she was most proud, Devon (19), Harper (17), Meli (15), Declan (14), and James (11).

A Celebration of Life will be held for family and close friends this summer in Lawrence. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Lawrence Humane Society or the Oklahoma Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.