Ethel “Danner” Armbrister

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.