Helen Faye (McElwee) Middleton, born August 14, 1917, in Sulphur Springs, Arkansas, passed peacefully on November 8, 2019, to be with her husband, Arthur Cecil Middleton, surrounded by family in a room filled with love.
During her 102 years, Helen was always known for her smile and delightful disposition. Her kids, grandkids, family, and friends knew they would be greeted with a smile, laughter, and wide-open arms.
Helen grew up in Parsons, Kansas, with her parents, Fred and Hazel (Hunt) McElwee, and two brothers, Ivan McElwee and Wayne McElwee. It was a happy and full home.
Helen was an honor student in high school and graduated second in scholastic achievement from Parsons Junior College with an Associate of Arts Degree. After graduation, Helen taught in several rural Kansas one-room schoolhouses. It was during this time she met Arthur Middleton.
Helen and Arthur married June 16, 1940, and moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where Arthur worked for the US Postal Service and Helen stayed home to raise their four children: Cecil Alan, Marjorie Faye, Donald Fred, and Clifford Dale. She delighted in being an active homemaker and enjoyed sharing her crafts such as sewing, quilting, and cooking.
Helen was a longtime and active member of University Heights Christian Church. Living directly across the street from the church allowed her to serve the congregation in a variety of capacities. She taught children and grandchildren that a church is a place to make your home. Helen was an Elder in the church, led Sunday School classes, and middle school youth programs, and was active in Christian Women’s Fellowship. She was also a counselor for many years at Tall Oaks Christian Camp. After University Heights closed, Helen and Arthur joined Red Bridge Christian Church.
Not one to sit still, she was a volunteer in many school and community activities. Helen helped start the Troost Elementary School library and worked there for many years as a volunteer librarian. Later, she was a librarian at Bryant Elementary School where several of her grandchildren attended.
Helen and Arthur were a sweet couple, neither were ever known to speak a harsh word. Each week, Arthur would bring his sweetheart the very best rose from his garden.
Helen loved her family, adored her grandkids, and enjoyed spending holidays, birthdays, and Sunday suppers together. A master in the kitchen, the family enjoyed many of her wonderful dishes, from fresh cherry pie, lemon meringue pie, homemade chocolate pudding, pot roast, and so much more. She was a legendary master of mashed potatoes. Marrying a first-generation Irishman, she made them nearly every day. While mashed potatoes are a staple at many family meals, no one could make them as well as she did.
She leaves behind many friends she met along the way and her children: Cecil (and Ina Mae) Middleton of Pensacola, FL, Marjorie Woodson Taft (and Bob) Schmitt of Mission, KS, Don Middleton of Queen Creek, AZ, and Cliff (and Liz) Middleton of Prairie Village, KS. Grandchildren: Linda Taft (and Michael) Medina, Jeff Middleton, Larry (and Trina) Taft, Doug Middleton, Michael (and Bory) Taft, Ryan Middleton, and Madeline Middleton (and Austen) Witte. And great-grandchildren: Emily Taft, Hannah Taft, Marielle Medina, Christian Medina, Kosal Taft, Narin Taft, James Middleton, Christopher Middleton, Dylan Middleton, Brianna Middleton, and Helen’s newest delight, Scarlett Witte.
Helen saw many things during her over a century of life. She lived through The Great Depression, World Wars, seeing her two oldest sons serve and return safely from Vietnam. Her life saw incredible changes in transportation, technology, medicine, and clothing styles. Through it all, she was strong, kind, and a good Christian. She left this world better through all the people she touched and shared life.
A Visitation for Helen will be held Saturday, November 16, 2019 from 10:00am to 11:00am followed by an 11:00am Funeral Service at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer and Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Kingswood Foundation, an organization that helps support residents of Kingswood Senior Living where Helen lived the last 20 years and received as much love as the daily smiles and kindness she shared. Checks can be mailed to Kingswood Foundation, in memory of Helen Middleton, 10000 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO 64114.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mtmoriah.net for the Middleton family.
