Evelyn Brase

Evelyn Lorraine Lowes Brase, 89, of Jackson passed away quietly Monday, Nov. 22, 2010, at Jackson Manor.

She was born May 5, 1921, at home, daughter of William A. and Lydia Bartels Lowes. She and "Coach" Emil Brase were married Feb. 25, 1943, at New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson.

Brase graduated from Jackson High School in 1939, the same year she met Emil. In 1941 she received a two-year teaching certificate from Southeast Missouri State College. Before completing her degree in 1954, she taught at Randles and Delta schools, as well as a year in the one-room Dutchtown school house. Her career in the Jackson school system lasted from 1953 until retiring in 1986, "graduating" from kindergarten to first, then third, then fourth grade.

She was a lifelong member of New McKendree, where she sang in the choir and for many years was part of a trio with her sisters. She served in several prominent roles with the United Methodist Women and the Wesleyan Circle. She also reorganized the church and UMW libraries, and set up a special library section to encourage children to read.

Evelyn loved playing bridge, traveling, and is remembered as a loving woman who bore her health issues without complaint and who never spoke ill of others. She will be sorely missed.

She is survived by her husband of almost 68 years, "Coach" Emil Brase of Jackson; a son, John Brase of St. Louis; a sister, Mildred Lowes Schreiner of Cape Girardeau; and many loving in-laws, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Mabel Lowes Illers.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson, and from 9:30 a.m. until service time Saturday at New McKendree Church.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Revs. John Rice and Jimmie Corbin officiating. Interment will be in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Memorials may be given to Cox Memorial Scholarship Fund, payable to New McKendree UMC.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.