HAMPTON – Elizabeth Hill Brauer, who was born on April 18, 1924, in Richmond, VA, and who had lived in Hampton, VA, since 1949, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, February 5, 2016.
She married Harrol Andrew Brauer, Jr. on May 18, 1946, who preceded her in death on June 6, 2008. She was also preceded in death by her father, William Roland Hill, her mother, Elizabeth Lanier Hill, her sister Margaret Hill Hunt, and her brothers, William Roland Hill, Jr., and Lindley Binford Hill all of Richmond, VA. She is survived by her three sons and daughters-in-love, Harrol Andrew III and his wife Jenny, William Lanier and his wife Michelle, and Gregory Hill and his wife Cindy. Also left to cherish her memory are grandsons Harrol, Chris, Stuart, Colin (Lauren) and Peyton (Jackie). Skeeter, as she was known to her many friends, was a student at the Collegiate School for Girls in Richmond when she met Harrol, a student at the University of Richmond, during a weekend trip to Stingray Point, Deltaville, Va. From that chance meeting, two lives of significance and consequence began to unfold. They were committed and faithful to their God, their family and their community. She and Harrol were ardent contributors and supporters of Christopher Newport University where a room is named in their honor in Christopher Newport Hall. The "Brauer Room" is an elegant meeting and reception room that honors their memory and the many contributions they made to the University they loved and served. In 1984, they were appointed by the Hampton City Council to co-chair the 375th Anniversary of Hampton celebration. They traveled to England and extended a personal invitation to Dr. Robert Runcie, the Archbishop of Canterbury, to attend the celebration. In 1986, they were individually honored with the Distinguished Citizens Medallion from the City of Hampton for their service to the community. She and Harrol were given the Art of Public Service Presidential Award from Hampton University and were presented with framed articles flown on the Space Shuttle Discovery for Outstanding Contribution to the NASA Langley Research Center. That same year, they were presented with the Book of Golden Deeds, the highest honor of the Wythe Exchange Club. Skeeter was awarded a Lifetime Membership in the National Parent Teachers Association for her service to troubled youth and was a member of P.E.O. She was a founder of the Hampton Beautification Committee and the Less Secure Detention Home in Hampton. She was also the chairwoman of the Hampton Historical Preservation Committee of the Woman's Club of Hampton, served on the vestry of St. John's Church, where she was a member for over 60 years, and was a lay reader and Eucharistic minister for more than 20 years. In 2014, she published a book called "My Journey of Faith At Over Four Hundred Year Old St. John's Episcopal Church, The Oldest Continuous Anglican Parish in America" in which she wrote about the history of the church, the 1618 Communion Silver, the 1637 Book of Common Prayer, the processional crosses, the stained glass windows and the many families and clergy of the church. The book was also a personal reflection of her deep faith and commitment to her Lord God, Jesus Christ. In addition, she adored her antique dolls, many dating back to the Civil War, and her collection of Victorian-era Valentines, Christmas and Birthday cards.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Commonwealth Assisted Living at Hampton, and Interim Home Care and Hospice for their loving care.
The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 10 at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home on South Armistead Avenue in downtown Hampton. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 11 at St. John's Episcopal Church, Hampton. Burial will follow in the St. John's Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Elizabeth H. and Harrol A. Brauer, Jr. Endowed Scholarship at Christopher Newport University or to the Charitable Trust Fund at St. John's Episcopal Church in Hampton.