Beulah Earlene Easton

Earlene Easton, 76, died unexpectedly on Feb.8, 2014, at her home in Kansas City, Kans. She was born April 20, 1937, in Rapid City, S.D., to Earl Lee Brooks and Beulah Pearl Bright Brooks, and grew up in Sturgis, S.D., Washington, DC, Macks Creek, Mo, and Kansas City, Mo. Earlene met Melvin Easton at Temple Baptist Church in Kansas City, Mo., where they wed on Feb. 20, 1953. They lived in Kansas City, Missouri, and North Kansas City, Mo. before moving to the Turner area of Kansas City, Kans., in 1965. She lived there for 49 years and celebrated her 60th wedding anniversary with Melvin just before he passed away on March 19 last year. Earlene was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Turner, teaching Sunday school and serving in many other ways. Though never rich in worldly things, she considered herself wealthy in friends and family, and she was particularly appreciative of those who showed extra concern this past year. Earlene had a generous and caring heart and lived her faith by helping others whenever and wherever she could. She and Melvin administered the church’s “helping hand” fund for several years, frequently responding to calls for groceries, rides to work and appointments, and even clothing and shoes – sometimes even taking money from their own pockets to do so. In fact, she once gave the coat she was wearing to someone who had come into the community food kitchen where she served each month with her church family. Earlene had never met a stranger; she was known to strike up conversations with anyone standing nearby, leaving those within earshot thinking they surely must have been old friends. Of course, after living so long in the area, she did frequently run into long-time friends, as well as many who remembered her as their softball coach, Girl Scout leader, or Turner school bus driver. Earlene is survived by her children: Debby West (Debbie), Manhattan; Vicki Wiler (Randy), Shawnee; Larry Easton (Lois) and Terry Easton, Kansas City, Kans..; grandchildren: Scott Easton (Nancy), Brian Easton (Nicole), Justin Wiler (DeDe), Tabitha Wiler, and Jennifer Cunningham (Brad); great-grandchildren: Kayla and Jacob Wiler; Sydney and Kate Easton; Dominic Hicks; and Oliver and Madison Cunningham; with another one due to arrive to Scott and Nancy in August; and her brother, Bruce Brooks (Audrey), North Kansas City, Mo.

Tributes

Beulah Earlene Easton

April 20, 1937 - February 8, 2014