Gertie Goins Brewington, 93 of Fayetteville, passed away peacefully on May 4, 2024.
She was born in Moore County, one of ten children to Mattie Morrison Goins and James Robert Goins. She married her high school sweetheart, Arthur Samuel Brewington of Clinton, NC on August 1, 1948. They spent most of their 64 years together in Fayetteville, until his passing in 2013.
Ms. Brewington was an enrolled member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. After attending East Carolina Indian School in Sampson County, she received her GED from Fayetteville Technical Institute and became a licensed cosmetologist and certified cosmetology instructor. An excellent stylist, she was an instructor and later manager of the Sir Walter Beauty Academy in Fayetteville.
Ms. Brewington owned and operated Gail’s Beauty Shop and Sportswear, as well as the Golden Comb Beauty Salon in Fayetteville from the late 1950’s until 1979. Respected for her style and poise she was a judge for many pageants in Fayetteville over the years.
In 1975, Ms. Brewington joined the NC Commission of Indian Affairs where for over a decade she successfully worked for, or managed a variety of programs. She had an impact across North Carolina, particularly in tribal communities as a Workforce Development Specialist with the Comprehensive Employment and Training (CETA) program; setting up youth councils and connecting teens to volunteer opportunities; supporting food banks in rural communities; creating an adult literacy program; pairing individuals with jobs through the workforce development program; and helping establish early childcare programs.
She was very engaged with the Cumberland County Association for Indian People for many years helping to plan pow-wows, pageants and other community events. She was also active with the Democratic Party in Cumberland County and served as Chair of the Senior Dems for many years. She was often recognized for her volunteer work including receiving the North Carolina Council on the Status of Women’s first Tribute to Minority Women Award in 1980.
After retiring from the State of North Carolina, she and her husband, owned and operated M & S Auto Sales together for 10 years. They both “retired” again and opened South River Greenhouses to pursue their passion for growing beautiful flowers.
Gertie and Samuel were founding members of Northwood Temple Church where she was a Sunday school teacher and worshipped for over 55 years. They had four children, six grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren. She loved them all fiercely.
Ms. Brewington was strong person of faith, a savvy businesswomen, a community volunteer and organizer, and public servant. Affectionately known as “Ms. Gertie,” she was a mama, aunt, teacher, counselor, and cheerleader to many young people across NC.She was an excellent cook, loved to entertain, and her home was always a gathering place for family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Samuel Brewington; parents, Mattie and James Goins; grandson, Kenneth W. Bain; sisters, Helen Jones, Sadie Emanuel, Francis Smiling, and Ethel Jones; and brother Clyde Goins. She is survived by her children, Arthur Ronnie Brewington, Wanda Brewington Osborne (Alex), Samuel Mark Brewington (Lynelle), Pamela Brewington Cashwell (David); six grandchildren; five great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren; a brother, Cecil Goins; three sisters, Jane Goins, Barbara Gibbs and Paulette Dial; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, May 10 at 11:00 am at Northwood Temple. Burial will follow at Lafayette Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at Rogers and Breece Funeral Home on Thursday, May 9 at 6:00 pm and again one hour before the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Northwood Temple Church’s His Hands Extended (homebound ministry) or the Cumberland County Council on Older Adults’ Meals on Wheels Program.
