Ethel “Danner” Armbrister
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Graveside services for Ethel “Danner” Armbrister, 97, Lawrence will be held at 9:30 a.m., Friday, July 8 2016 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lawrence, Kansas. She passed away Monday, June 20, 2016 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
Ethel was born March 31, 1919 in Wythe County, VA the daughter of Edgar L. and Blanche (Seagle) Smith. She was the seventh of ten children. She graduated from Wytheville High School and became a telephone operator where her voice as the long distance operator was known up and down the east coast. She married Eugene Wallace Armbrister September 7, 1943 when he had a three-day pass from the Army. He proceeded her in death May 26, 1974. After moving to Kansas, she was a bakery clerk at Rusty’s Food Store until her retirement in 1981. She was a member of First United Methodist Church and Eastern Star. She loved her family beyond measure. She was proud of her Irish heritage and had visited Ireland twice, where she had the opportunity to meet her Irish cousins. She was a proud Virginian though she lived in Kansas many years and celebrated her Southerness. She was a storyteller who knew how to tell a story or a joke. She loved chocolate. She loved to cook for others and always wanted to be sure that people were fed—be it food or love. Did we mention that she loved chocolate?!
Survivors include her daughter, Pattie Lou Johnston (Bruce); her son, Andrew Jackson. Armbrister, both of Lawrence; Cheri Armbrister, daughter-in-law of Baldwin City, KS, Barbara Armbrister, daughter-in-law of Lawrence, six grandchildren: Matt (Jenee) of Overland Park, KS, Jay Tyler (Besty) of Baldwin City, Heidi Miller (Seth) of Springfield, VA, Adam (Caitlin) and Andrew (fiancé Sarah Felt) of Lawrence, Kalli Warren of Topeka, KS. Seven great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews in Virginia. She was also preceded in death by her son, Wallace
Gale Armbrister in 2005. Danner will be buried beside her husband in Lawrence but has requested that ashes be scattered by the little branch by her childhood home in the mountains of Virgina that has always been “home”.
Memorials may be made in her name to the Charity of the Donor’s Choice and may be sent in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
Sincere Condolences To The Armbrister Family,
May your sadness be comforted and your broken heart mended, by the tender mercy that God Almighty provides. Through heartfelt prayer, you can experience, “the peace of God that excel all thought.” Philippians 4:7. With Comfort and Kindness,
To Patty and family, your Mother will be sorely missed here on Earth and in your hearts. She was a very sweet and loving person to know. Know that prayers are with you and yours.
Dear Pattie, Bruce and the rest of the family, your mother seems like she was truly a character, I wish I’d had the pleasure of knowing her, I would have brought her – chocolate! Pattie you look so much like your mother it’s remarkable. My deepest condolences on this loss, I know it is the natural order of things, people get older and pass, but that is of little consolation to those left behind to miss her so sweetly, yet so sadly. You’re in my thoughts and prayers, may you all find some comfort in your memories of a life so well lived.
I’m so sorry for your loss Pattie. Time helps but I think we never quite get over losing our mom. And this week I’m sharing your loss over Gale, too; we lost Dan this week. My heart is broken, as I know yours is. I know we will see them again. Blessings to you and Bruce and your family.
I had the pleasure of getting to know Ethel while I was a grad student. She was instrumental in helping us get a group started at Babcock Place. I looked forward to her company and her amazing stories and great sense of humor. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends who loved her so.