Lanita Jean McKay Brewer, of Memphis, Texas, left this life on Sunday, July 27, 2025, in her home at the age of 84 years old. Lanita Jean McKay Brewer was born to Nathaniel and Ruth Ann McKay on Aug. 30, 1940.
The seventh of 13 children, the family lived in Turkey, Texas. Active members of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Lanita was the last of Nathaniel and Ruth Ann’s children to be born in Itasca, Texas, located in Hill County.
Lanita graduated from high school in 1959 in Childress, Texas. She married Robert Carlson Brewer on Sept. 3, 1964. Lanita had two children, Darrell Anthony Smith and Sharon McKay.
Lanita joined the family of faith at an early age and started serving faithfully. She was active in Sunday School, Bible School and Junior President of West Texas Baptist Association. Affectionately known as one of Hill County’s Bible Scholars, Lanita served as Mt. Olive Baptist Church BTU Secretary and Junior Mission President.
In 1960, Lanita moved to Memphis and united with the New Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Attending the new Mt. Zion Baptist Church, her greatest passion was serving the Lord throughout her life, especially in her years at New Mt. Zion.
Some of her Christian leadership and dedication at New Mt. Zion included Deaconess, Women’s Mission President and Sunday School Superintendent. She was an active prayer warrior in the community and a member of Memphis Sisters of Service, past Eastern Star member and officer and West Texas Progressive State Baptist Answering Clerk. She served as superintendent of Sunday school until she said it was someone else’s turn. She served as the Mission President until her death.
Lanita worked for Lust Cleaners for 19 years and Memphis Convalescent Center for 21 years as food service supervisor. She retired at the age of 62.
Lanita is proceeded in death by her husband, Robert Carlton; her son, Darrell Smith; her parents, Nathaniel and Ruth Ann McKay; and her siblings, Nathaniel McKay Jr., Carrie Ball, J.C. McKay, Mary Ella Sewell, Mildred Buckley, Johnny McKay, Elenor Cornish and Billy Ray McKay.
Cherishing Lanita’s sweet memory are her daughter, Sharon Hearn (Hosea); four siblings, Virginia McKay Cornish, Wilma McFarland, David McKay and Joe McKay; her grandchildren, Ashley McKay, Jené Smith and Carlton Hearn; great-grandchildren Ma’Kalia Childs, Jniyah Hearn, Keanah Hearn, Datren Johnson and Drayton Childs; and a greatgreat- grandchild, Kyrin Pinkard.
Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, at New Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Memphis, with Rev. Thomas Perry, Rev. Daniel Downey and Woodrow Richardson officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Memphis. Viewing was held from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7 at Robertson Funeral Directors in Memphis. Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Home of Memphis.
Sign the online guest book at robertsonfuneral. com.
