Beverly Bradley

Beverly Pierson Carmichael Bradley of Kansas City, Missouri passed away December 9, 2016. She was born June 13, 1927, in Kansas City, Missouri, to John T Pierson and Helen Sherman Pierson. Beverly attended Barstow School in Kansas City, Missouri, Bradford Junior College in Haverhill, Massachusetts and Connecticut College in New London Connecticut. As a young woman she was on the board of the Guadalupe Center and chosen as one of the original BOTARS. In partnership with Jackie Welsh Mosley and Nancy Chapman she founded “Fashion Fair’, a Kansas City modeling agency and party planning company. In 1950, she married John “Jack” L. Carmichael. Shortly after their marriage, Beverly and Jack moved to Indianapolis, Indiana where they resided for almost 23 years. They had three children, and Beverly was very active in their education and activities.

Throughout her life Beverly was a strong advocate for the arts. A volunteer and fund-raiser for the John Herron Art Museum, she later become one of the original 3 founders of the Alliance of Indianapolis Museums of Art and was instrumental in facilitating the new museum location located on the Lilly estate. She served as a trustee for the Indiana University School of Art, served on the Board of the Salvation Army, was a member of the National Opera Committee and was also an Officer of Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University.

Returning to Kansas City in 1972, Beverly began an extended career selling real estate. Originally working with Eugene D Brown Company, she later moved to Hal Hulen Realty and ultimately Reece and Nichols. She maintained her real estate license until the very end. Beverly married Ellis G Bradley of Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1977. She volunteered on behalf of the March of Dimes, founding the Gourmet Gala fundraiser. In addition she was the chair for the opening gala for the Eye Foundation, and a lifetime member of the Kansas City Rose Society. Beverly also served on the Board of Trustees for Barstow School, and was awarded Alumna of the Year in 1996. She was particularly proud of her Swedish heritage and served as the honorary chair of the 300th Anniversary of Swedish-American descendants in Kansas City. She was a member of the Second Presbyterian Church and the Carriage Club in Kansas City and the Woodstock Country Club of Indianapolis, Indiana.

Beverly is preceded in death by her husband, parents, brothers Gregory Sherman Pierson and John T. Pierson, Jr. and daughter, Hanna Carmichael Medus. Her children John Lochlan Carmichael, Jr. (and Philip Pappas II) and Helen Kristin Carmichael survive her. Surviving nieces include Catherine Pierson Wolf, Merrill Pierson Nunnally (and Bob Nunnally), Karen Pierson Eib, and Kimberly Pierson Coleman (and Don Coleman) and four great-nieces and one great-nephew.

Memorial Services will be held at the Second Presbyterian Church, 318 E. 55th St., Kansas City, MO on January 28th at two o’clock. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to Barstow School, 11511 State Line Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64114; The March of Dimes 4400 College Blvd, Suite 180, Overland Park, KS 66211; The Indianapolis Museum of Art, 4000 Michigan Road, Indianapolis, IN 46208; or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements under the direction of Mt Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO.