CORNING, ARK. -- A quintessential member of the Greatest Generation has passed on to be with her heavenly family. Edith (Gates) Brady of Success, Ark. left this world Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017, at approximately 6:20 p.m. surrounded by her loving family at her "home on the hill" along the banks of the Current River north of Success, Ark. at the age of 102 years. Born Sept. 4, 1915, to Marsha Susan (Pearce) Gates and William Earl Gates in a field of the Pirtle area near Peach Orchard, Ark., Edith was a single child until the age of 15 when Bill Duane Gates--now of Roanoke, Texas--was born to her parents. When Edith was 10 years of age, the Gates family moved to Detroit, Mich. where she was schooled, graduating from John J. Pershing High School as salutatorian of her class.
While serving as secretary to the Treasurer of Royal Oak Township, Mich., Edith married Loyd Elvin Brady (originally of Pollard, Ark.) Oct. 28, 1934, at the Hazel Park Baptist Tabernacle. Six children were born of their marriage: Roger Bryan, deceased at age two months; Kay Linda Beard of Rialto, Calif.; Loyd "Bud" Elvin II (Janet) Brady, Dan Gregory "Greg" Brady, and Robert Franklin "Bob" Brady all of Success, Ark.; and, Kirk Alyn (Donna) Brady of Currentview, Mo.
Following their marriage, Loyd and Edith resided in Hazel Park and Wyandotte, Mich., but later moved to Trinidad, Colo., The Dalles, Ore., Monrovia, Calif., and Santa Clara, Calif., as Loyd pursued a career in municipal management. Earnestly fulfilling her role as the wife of a man avidly engaged in local politics, Edith was active in the Toastmistress Clubs in some of the cities where her husband served as city manager. While residing in Santa Clara, Calif., she dutifully served as Chairwoman of the United Fund.
In 1963, the Brady's moved "back home" to Success, Ark., where they established a cattle farm at the Sugarbush Ranch. Prior to 1970, Edith became the Deputy Treasurer of Clay County, Ark.. and worked in that capacity for 16 years. In her retired years, Edith operated the Sugarbush Boat Launching Facility. Loyd and Edith were Christians and lifetime members of the Baptist Faith, with their longest membership being that of the Success Baptist Church, in Success, Ark.
From 1959 to 2001,13 grandchildren were welcomed into the "Brady Bunch"-- Bradley, Scott Gregory (Nancy), Scott Christopher (Bonnie), Michael, and Kimberly Beard of California [Kay Linda], Garold Edward Sr. (Cynthia) Brady, of Success, Ark., and Trisha Erin Moss of Phoenix, Ariz., [Bud], Corylyn (Mark) Veeninga of Napa, Calif., [Greg], Robert Gregory Brady of Success, Ark., [Bob], Felicity Caneice (Brandon) Ray of Poplar Bluff, Mo., Gwendolyn Elissa Brady, Michaela Celeste Brady, and JulLIFianne Surrilda Brady of Currentview, Mo. [Kirk]; 12 great-grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren also survive.
A steadfast follower of Jesus Christ, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, Edith was known to many as the straightforward, conservative, and admirable matriarch of the Brady Family. Those who loved her loved her dearly. Her light-hearted laughter, exacting expressions, and impartations of wisdom will be greatly missed as she rejoices in Heaven with family and friends gone before her.
Visitation will be from 6 - 8 p.m., Saturday at Ermert Funeral Home in Corning. Funeral service will be at 3 p.m., Sunday at the funeral home with Rev. Wayne Baldwin officiating. Burial will follow at Brady Cemetery on Sugarbush Ranch, Success. Food can be brought to the Brady Household Saturday or Sunday for the pot luck dinner following the burial.
Online condolences: www.ermertfuneralhome.com
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