Carrie Lee (Middleton/Bruner) Elbrader passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord on Wednesday, November 18, 2020. Carrie was a long-time resident of Bourbon County, Kansas, and a career teacher for over thirty years. She was born on February 25, 1930, in Ft. Scott, Kansas to Lee and Allie Middleton.
She was the first of six children, which surely started her teaching career, you don’t have five younger siblings without doing some teaching. Carrie graduated from Uniontown High School and continued her education at Ft Scott Jr College, Pittsburg Teacher’s College, and Pittsburg State University. She attained a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in special education. She taught at several schools in Bourbon County and for five years in Chanute, Kansas. She loved being a teacher and had so many fond memories of students and colleagues. Carrie was most happy when around family and friends. She was lucky to have special people in her life such as Idella Brown and her husband Keith, who provided special care for her. She was a loving, sacrificial mother that wasn’t afraid to express that love at the end of a switch! A topnotch grandmother that would go squirrel hunting, fishing, and bake all kinds of goodies, somewhere along the way she lost that switch. She enjoyed sharing whatever she had and loved seeing others enjoy her loving gifts. She always made sure you had what you needed-plus a few things you didn’t need. She loved her home, her family, her friends, and the simple way of life. Many hours were spent around the dining room table drinking coffee, eating cinnamon rolls, and discussing life with her dear friends. On Friday night it was out to eat and then home for a pitch game. She was a comfortable person that made others comfortable as well.
Carrie was preceded in death by her parents Lee and Alli Middleton, husband, Don Elbrader, one sister, Carolyn Rourke, one brother, David Middleton, and grandson, Tyler Juden. Carrie is survived by her siblings Lois, Kenneth, Donna and their families, two children, daughter, Reatha Juden and husband Bob, a son Gary Bruner and partner Ruthie England, grandchildren, Eli, Erin, Ivy and Jacey, and great-grandchildren, Eden, Macey, Lealind, Londyn, Domonic, Ava, Easton and Oaklee. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. Psalms 116:15
Due to Covid, a private burial will take place at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery southwest of Ft. Scott. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the Uniontown United Methodist Church and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
