Elijah Buddy Brewster Jr. known to many as “Eli” affectionately known to his family as “Man” was born December 3, 1968 at The Ohio State Hospital to Elijah Buddy Brewster Sr. and Margaret Brewster Stephens. Eli departed this life on July 6, 2018 at the comfort of his home.
At the early age of 8 Elijah discovered the game of baseball from there he was one of the top kids to ever play at the world famous Sills Ball Park. At the age of 12 he had Philadelphia Phillies scouts come and watch him play at Sills Ball Park and the owner of the park said Elijah was the best player he had seen since Eddie Milner, who went on to play for the Cincinnati Reds. While developing into a great baseball player at the age of 13, Elijah was throwing an 80 mile an hour baseball at Sills Ball Park. At this time while attending Indian Mound Recreation Center Elijah started to have a love for the game of basketball and from there the emerging from Elijah to Eli began. Eli began to raise the attention of coaches, sports writers, and scouts in baseball and basketball. Special attention was being paid to him by Cincinnati Reds and Kansas City Royals of the Major League Baseball at the age of 16 while entering into his freshman year of high school. After conversation with his Father, his Coach Chuck Kemper and mentor, Eli decided to enroll at Father Wherle High School in 1983-1987. When he arrived at Wherle he was asked right away to play football and sports writers begin to talk about Eli. As a freshman he was considered the top football, baseball, and basketball player in Central Ohio in the previous 10 years.
After his sophomore year of high school and becoming the top athlete in 3 sports, Eli started to devote all his time and attention to basketball. Now all eyes were on E, and people from all over wanted a piece of his journey. Eli was a starting freshman on the varsity basketball team at Wherle where he was a major focal point to the team. The word was out not just in the city of Columbus but all over the nation. Eli and the Wherle team (though a small Class A school) was delivering overwhelming defeat to all classes. Eli, along with former OSU Jerry Frances, Kevin Haddock, and Chris Green lead Wherle to their first state basketball finals. Even in their loss you could see there was something special that was being built.
In Eli’s junior year Wherle finally recognized its destiny in becoming State Champions, along with being one of the top teams in the country. Eli amassed a career record of 99-9 and is Wherle’s all-time leading scorer. Wherle continued to win on a high level for years after Eli graduated. After a lengthy period of time and many discussions with his favorite guy, his father “Buddy” The Ohio State University became his choice out of over 50 college offers for baseball and basketball. He was an all-district player of the year, Mr. Ohio in 1987, he graced the cover of Street and Smith magazine, played on Street and Smith All American team, Parade All American team, and played in the Dapper Dan All American Classic game. While learning how to manage his life without basketball Eli began to have a zeal for the world of percussion. Eli began to study and practice the drums and other professional drummers to enhance his skills. Eli worked the drums as he did the world of sports. Eli was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan.
Eli was preceded in death by his father Elijah Buddy Brewster Sr.; paternal grandparents Lige and Alberta Brewster; maternal grandfather Rolester Fisher; maternal grandmother Rosalee Barnett.
Eli leaves to carry out this legacy and cherish his memory; mother Margaret Brewster Stephens; children, Lanae’ Curran, Cavon Ray, Adrian Nusbaum, Keilah, Amariah, Omar, Jordan, and Maleah Brewster, grandchildren Brazanae and Brad Madison, Neriah Ray; sister Elaine Brewster and brother Eric (Christal) Brewster; nephews Eric Jr., Tomarreo, Tyriian Sr., and Malik; great nephew Tyriian Jr. and Tristiian; great neice Triniity; godson Raimare Brown. Eli will be missed by his Aunt Pastor Judy Whitlow; uncles Herman, Herbert Jr., Walt, Calvin, and Dwight; favorite cousins Kevin and Toria Whitlow; best friends Shannon “Scoob” Welch, Kelvin “KB” Brown, Treg Lee, and Tammy McCoy. Eli had many cousins and friends who will miss him dearly.
Visitation 12:00 noon and Funeral 1:00pm at Temple of Grace Ministries 850 Studer Ave.
Interment at Eastlawn Cemetery.
My heart is with you during this difficult time. GOD will see you through love you all.
Sending lots of prayers to the Brewster family, May the Lord be with you all stay strong and be safe, He may be gone but never forgotten!
Love: Malika
Rest in heaven my friend! Ill miss you E! Much Love Alway
We would like to offer the family our deepest sympathy. May this time of sorrow be, but a passing moment. The death of someone we love brings great sorrow, but is outlasted by the great love of our memories. May your love one Rest In Peace.
“Buddy” Gibson’s mom, Betty wants to send my deepest sympathy to the family of Eli. I lost Buddy in 2011 to HD ( a horrible disease). But remember Elijah so well on the baseball field at Sill’s Ball Park. We all loved and adored him. I have so many memories of him and the rest of the boys. The parents we all so proud of our McDonald team. Blessings to all in his family.
My sympathy and prayers to the family of Buddy. May he rest in peace for all eternity.
I thank God for allowing me to share so many special memories with E and the Brewster Family.
On the behalf of the Campbell, Tolliver and Ray family, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family. There are no words of comfort in this difficult time, but we pray that God will send HIS angels of comfort for peace and understanding. May God bless your family.
Elaine and family, So sorry to hear of your lost , We are praying for you and your family, by the grace of God you will have that grace that only God can give just trust Him. Love you , Frances and Monica Bass
Best player I ever saw in high school rest easy my old friend E
Eli did three sports long before Bo, deion and others. He was the athletic king of the 80’s
I offer my sincere condolences to his entire family. No one since in columbus ohio has done it better.
Thanks for all the great memories from our days at Wehrle, Rest In Peace Eli…
I’m so sorry to hear about Eli. Keeping family in my prayers. I loved playing Basketball with Eli when growing up. I always admired his talents. R.I.P my friend.
My deepest condolences to the family. My heart goes out to you. Prayers for comfort and peace to you all.
Eli it’s been a long time. It seems like yesterday we were kids hanging out at sills ballpark those were the days.
You will be truly missed my friend.
R.i.p
I am just now learning of Eli’s passing. We met over 20 yrs ago and lost touch just a couple of years ago. He always had a smile on his face. He will definitely be missed. Prayers to all of his family. ❤️ You Always Eli!
Eli did three sports long before Bo, deion and others. He was the athletic king of the 80’s
I offer my sincere condolences to his entire family. No one yet in columbus ohio has done it better.
To the family of Eli. I didn’t know you or Eli well but I had the distinct pleasure of being able to play against him on two occasions in high school. Once at a scrimmage in Van Buren, Ohio and once in the state semi’s in Dayton, Ohio in 1986. Eli was one of the best I have ever seen with a basketball and I am very sorry for your loss and sorry I am so late with this.
Rest in peace Eli. You were the best high school basketball player that I ever played against. You were on another level than the rest of us and as I remember your excellence carried over into baseball and football. Truly gifted.
Timothy Eberhardt Guard/Forward Walnut Ridge 83-87