- Date Of Birth: June 28, 1927
- Date Of Death: April 1, 2018
- State: West Virginia
GRAFTON – Eleanor Ruth (Henderson) Brake, age 90, of Grafton, WV, passed away peacefully at her home on Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018 surrounded by loving friends and family. She was born June 28, 1927, in Grafton, WV, a daughter of the late William Andrew Clay Henderson and Virginia Amy (Allender) Henderson. She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Robert Gordon Brake Sr., whom she married December 24, 1950.
Eleanor is survived by four children: Robert G. Brake Jr. of Grafton, Albert C. Brake and wife Aliece of Houston, TX, William C. Brake and wife Crystal of Flemington, and Amy L. (Brake) Darrah and husband Timothy of Fairview; four grandchildren: Timothy R. Brake, Jesse L. Brake, David A. Darrah, and Megan L. Darrah; two great-grandchildren: Sofia G. Brake and Maggie B. Brake; one sister: Laura Francis (Henderson) Hicks; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, Eleanor was preceded in death by one son, David Wesley Brake; one sister: Lucille (Henderson) Beavers; and her brother William Harvey Henderson.
Eleanor was born at home (Main Street, Fetterman); her parents built a new home in Haymond in 1935 just down from the Haymond Elementary School. While the house was being built, she and her family lived in a small, one-bedroom house built by the previous owner of the property (Hotsenpiller).
Eleanor grew up in Grafton and graduated from Grafton High School in 1945. Upon graduation, she began nursing school at Monongalia General Hospital (Mon General) School of Nursing. She completed her nursing courses and practicums at Mon General and her non-nursing courses at West Virginia University. She graduated in 1949 as a Registered Nurse.
Eleanor met her future husband, Robert, at a Nursing/Engineering student dance. They were married after Robert graduated as a mechanical/industrial engineer in 1950. Robert served in WWII in the Signal Corp in Europe and was an ROTC student during his time at WVU. Eleanor and Robert served out his time at various posts across the U.S., including New Jersey and California. Eleanor nursed wherever they were located, including a stint as a civilian nurse for the U.S. Army.
Throughout her life, Eleanor and her growing and happy family lived in Morgantown, WV; Tyler, TX; Grafton, WV; Bloomfield Hills, MI; and Smyrna, TN. Robert and Eleanor retired back to the home they built together on her childhood home property in Haymond in 1993.
Eleanor was a longstanding and active member of Haymond United Methodist Church and enjoyed volunteering at the Bread of Life Mission in Grafton and West Virginia University during new student orientation. She was also an avid reader and loved to quilt. She was a kind, gentle, and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
The Brake family wishes to thank Amedisys Hospice for their exceptional care during the past year and each and every one of Eleanor’s loving and compassionate caregivers. Words cannot express our appreciation for all you have done. We will be forever grateful.
