Shirley Gleeton Brauer

Reverend Shirley Ann Gleeton Brauer passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 20, 2024 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. She was in the most loving care of her youngest daughter, Ann Marie White.

Shirley Ann Gleeton Brauer was born on June 28, 1935 in Washington, D.C. as the first of three children to her parents Louise Driscoll (née Thomas) and William Gleeton, Sr. For most of her childhood, Shirley was raised by her maternal grandmother, Roberta "Big Mama" Moseby Thomas. After graduation from Paul Laurence Dunbar Senior High School in Washington, D.C., Shirley went on to study at Howard University. She stepped away from her studies to marry her first husband, John "Jack" Francis Brauer, and together they had four children: J. Stephen "Steve", Christina (who succumbed to SIDS as an infant), Ida Honorine "Tweety", and Ann Marie.

As a life-long learner, Shirley pursued her interests in religion and spirituality at the National Spiritual Science Center in Washington, D.C. where she completed her studies as an ordained minister in the late 1980s. Reverend Shirley G. Brauer retired from the District of Columbia Government's Energy Office in the early 1990s and devoted her time to beautifying her homes with delightfully curated flower gardens and well-honed interior decorating skills, nurturing new and life-long friendships, studying theology, being an active member of the Order of the Eastern Star for several years, and as a loving matriarch to her children and grandchildren.

Reverend Shirley G. Brauer is survived by her three children: J. Stephen Brauer (Katina), Ida Brauer-Thompson (David), and Ann Marie White; grandchildren: Cherese Brauer, Mia Marie White, Andre Lewis, Mario Lewis, Cydni Brauer-Thompson, David Brauer-Thompson, Emma Brauer, and Samuel Brauer; 11 great grandchildren, sister Vera Lynn Thomas (Gregory), many loving friends, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her brother William Gleeton, Jr., daughter Christina Brauer, father William Gleeton Sr., brother Samuel “Skip” Driscoll III, mother Louise Driscoll, and dear sister Roberta Phillips.

Reverend Shirley's children and grandchildren deeply appreciate your blessings and support of their peace as they honor the life of their loving matriarch. May you be comforted by the sweetest memories that you have of her.

Family, friends and caregivers are respectfully invited to attend the celebration of life gathering, which will be held at Goldner Walsh (559 Orchard Lake Rd., Pontiac, Michigan 48341) on May 18th, beginning at noon.