Elsie (Smotherman) Brake

Elsie Lavern (Smotherman) Brake was born July 1, 1939, at her family home in the community of Bartlett, Missouri to Alfred Smotherman and Estella "Jewell" Willbanks. Elsie went to be with Jesus on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, after a short stay at Mercy Hospital in Springfield surrounded by her family. She was united in marriage to George Brake on April 4, 1959, in Miami, OK. To this union four children were born, Michael George, Jimmy Wayne, Jeffery Matthew, and Kristen Michelle. Elsie was a Sunday School teacher and played piano at church. She loved sewing, fishing, and spending time with her family. She touched many lives and loved to tell people about Jesus. She prayed for her family every day. She was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church, where she often helped with vacation Bible School, Operation Christmas Child, Back to School Bash, and many other programs. She was always willing to help where she could. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Jewell Smotherman; mother and father-in-law, Henry and Marie Brake; brothers, Glen, Jack, Coy, Tom, Doyle, Chet, and Robert; sisters, Lucille Medley and Essie Earls; sisters-in-law, Shirley Smotherman, Lorene Wolford, and Earlene Pierce; brothers-in-law, Bob Medley, Bud Earls, Bill Pierce, Eddie Davis, and Bill Wolford; and one son, Jimmy.

Elsie was survived by her husband, George, of the home; sons, Mike (Barb) of Birch Tree, and Jeff (Kim) of Birch Tree; daughter, Kristie (Kevin) Wallace of Winona; sister, Eva (Ron) Fry of Kimberling City; sisters-in-law, Linda, Betty, Janice, Nadine, Mary Jane, Clara Brake, Shirley Mills, Judy Davis, and Elaine Brake; brothers-in-law, Bill Brake, Bill Mills, and Donnie Brake; grandchildren, Cassandra Brake, Angela Distler, Donna Brake, Susan Morris, Levi Brake, Jordan Brake, Nina West, Lina Shelton, Jeremy Strazdas, Ashley Roberts, Matt Brake, Lari Burton, Sydney Foster, and Taylor Burton; twenty-one great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. Elsie was a wonderful, Godly woman who will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at Oak Grove Baptist Church, Birch Tree, Missouri, with Rev. Nolan Earls officiating. Visitation was held from 6- 8:00 p.m. on Monday, February 27, 2023, at Yarber Mortuary, Birch Tree. Interment was in Corinth Cemetery, Birch Tree. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com.