Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
...
She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
...
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
— Proverbs 31
One sows and another reaps. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. — John 4In addition to countrylife responsibilities, home-birthing, home-schooling and home-gardening for her family, she
- organized and operated Christian Worldview Library [located at the Love Box Employee Fitness Center] to house and share the collection of her family's [and other's] books on religion, economics and education,
- organized and participated in a wide range of local food related, CSA-oriented initiatives to teach people the moral significance and nutritional importance of the food they eat and to help them learn how to cooperate to grow it more easily themselves at home or in community gardens such as the Friends Garden,
- helped start [in 1993] then oversaw [until her illness in March 2025] Northfield School of the Liberal Arts which was early to recognize the pedagogical power of the Trivium and the curricular advantages of close personal relationships between willing students and teachers in smaller settings now being provided by a growing host of local classical microschools stretching worldwide,
- was there at the beginning of the Heartland Community and Jubilee Presbyterian churches joyfully accepting the invitation to share the yoke of her Savior and Lord Jesus and to work with, learn from and now rest in him — serving privately and publicly as a herald of his cross and a representative of his irresistible kingdom to which the world must be reconciled through the work of his Spirit in his earthly body which is the Church universal,
- as well as a wide range of public events spreading the word about the things which she fervently believed were not only sorely needed but thoroughly possible to improve the lives of all the families which surrounded her or which she encountered in her travels.
It is fitting that Becky fell suddenly ill and collapsed from complicated health problems less than an hour after vigorously standing and delivering her final speech to the Wichita Pachyderm Club entitled Libraries: Legacy of Liberty. She reminded her hearers about the increasing importance of READING REAL BOOKS in today's digitally dizzying world and of supporting local initiatives like her efforts in recent years to nourish Sunnydale Community Library on Oliver north of Kechi as a place where reading, studying and working together in school and agriculture could serve as transformational opportunities helping humans become who they really
ARE ...
Agri-culturalists, Readers & Educators ...
who Live, Learn & Teach.
One word that keeps recurring among those recollecting their experiences with Becky is IMPACT — a term from physics which means
- an event that changes the direction and/or velocity of a body that is at rest or in motion
... and that is what she was [is and always will be] for many of us ... over the last 73 very good years and into whatever lies ahead. NOW it's her turn to rest awhile ... and time for us to keep stepping up together ... to do the next right thing ... just as she would have encouraged and worked alongside us to do.
Thank you, Becky.
Share YOUR memories of Becky HERE ... and let us know who you are. THANKS.
ReplyDeleteI remember the moment vividly. Leaving the old Love Box Factory after school, footsteps echoing over concrete. As I neared the exit, I saw it. A larger than life black and white portrait of Jack Nicholson, looking manic and secretive. Captioning the portrait, a message, scrawled in the familiar handwriting of our “amica scholae.” Time has stolen the exact wording from me, but the gist of it was this: “Come to school with a paragraph about Jack’s eyebrows, or don’t come at all.”
ReplyDeleteWas the warning serious? It may not have been. It may not have needed to be. I think, perhaps, the underlying force at play was the most natural extension of being born in wonder. After all, why not? Why not ponder the eyebrows of someone? Why not pay attention to the details and idiosyncracies of life that leaves one feeling so much richer and more vibrant and more fascinated than before? Little "image-bearerers" that we are, each of us, is it not good and true and beautiful to consider the seemingly insignificant about another? Becky’s legacy, one of curiosity and tenacity and love and passion and fierce devotion, is so clearly evident in the witnessing of those here digitally. What a wonderful gift she gave me, to be born in wonder. May it always be true.
I graduated Northfield in 2007. It was Summer 2009. Luke Woolley, Ben Bruce, Esther Bruce and I had gotten permission to go camping on Elder's property. To get to the spot you had to drive on a dirt road in front of the "grumpy old neighbor's" house. Esther and I were on the way when Ben called us to say that "said neighbor" had called the cops on them and they were being held hostage. Esther and I stopped outside the gate, before entering the old man's property. The cops came and searched my car. "You don't have any alcohol??" They said bewildered. What can I say, Mrs. Elder raised us to be good girls!! They then proceeded to tell all four of us that we had to follow them to the Kechi police station to get a copy of all our driver's licenses and if we were ever seen on his property again we would be taken straight to jail. On the way there someone called the Elders. While the four of us were standing in a line in the Kechi police station getting lectured for I'm not sure what, Mrs. Elder BURST through the door. "These are all my children!!!!!" She said. The cops looked at us confused. "You guys are all siblings?" Before we could say anything she said, "Yes, these are all my children!!" And she swept us out of there. I felt so loved and so protected. I love you, Mrs. Elder. Thank you for being our second mom.
ReplyDeleteTessa Blackwell
When my marriage hit some ruts in the road I ran to Becky. She listened and only said, "But he's your husband." Then she threw me a lifeline in the form of an invitation to bring my children and come to their home on Wednesday nights where family and friends gathered weekly to worship, sing, eat and fellowship together. Eventually my husband joined in.
ReplyDeleteBecky gave me space to rest, refresh, and reflect while still upholding the scared vows I'd made at my wedding. She was known for her ability with words but that day her brevity said it all and that was enough.
I had a wonderful conversation with Becky at the time of the dedication of her father's library. I shared my admiration for both her and her father's intellectual work in reviving appreciation for "classical free-market liberalism." I was able to share my own efforts at resisting the Woke indoctrination at K-12 schools (public AND private) here in Atlanta. So sorry to learn of her family's loss!
ReplyDeleteI started at Love Box Company in the early 90s, as the Health Center Director. I learned soon afterwards that I would also be the PE teacher, coach, and AD for Northfield school, and eventually taught PE classes for homeschool kids through the Christian Worldview Library and homeschool community. I had no idea the lasting impact that experience would have on me, as well the impression of all the kids, families, and particularly Becky Elder would make on my life and future career.
ReplyDeleteI have so many great memories of the times in that school and gym, interacting with the kids, teachers, employees, and various Elder and Love kids racing around the building. I had the privilege of coaching some of the older Elders while watching the younger ones grow and develop. Becky made an impression on me simply by her firm convictions and beliefs, and I always admired that about her. We had many long conversations and discussions about life, religion, freedom, and education, and the CWVL library was an embodiment of her passion of those subjects. She seemed to by sheer will draw the homeschool community together, rallied around the resources in the library, and brought hundreds if not thousands of children together for programming, classes, and education.
At times I was intimidated by Lil Love being in the building, but Becky was both a protector and sometimes embodiment of her mother. They were similar in many ways - strong willed, strong convictions, passionate, and unbelievably loving and kind, accepting of everyone and always open to debate any topics. The Love and Elder family have left an indelible impression on me that will last a lifetime.
Just prior to 'Y2K' Becky learned about my experience as a wilderness guide and having worked in outdoor equipment and asked me to do some community presentations on prepping for the big event. At the time no one know what would happen, and Becky took charge and encouraged the community to be prepared for whatever may come. I was amazed how many people showed up, and we even repeated the presentation a few times and I always appreciated Becky trusting me and giving me that opportunity. It really spoke to her passion for preparedness, sustainment and living off what God has provided.
It is no surprise to see the success of her children, as well as read comments of the many other individuals who were impacted by Becky. She was truly a woman straight out of Proverbs 31. Philip chose wisely, and has also been an incredible father and role model for others including myself. Each of the Elder children were so unique, and it was a great lesson for me as I have raised 4 myself. Not sure how they managed with double that, but I always admired that Becky was not flustered when additional kids would just show up -she just took it in stride and bought more food.
I left Love Box/Northfield school over 25 years ago, but continue to have great memories and enjoy seeing ripples on social media of the students and others from my time there. That experience altered my career path into education and coaching and I appreciate more and more the opportunity and experiences I was given in that job. I am praying for peace for the Elder family and others over this loss, but know that God can provide peace beyond comprehension, and feel confident there was a celebration in heaven welcoming Becky home.
I met Becky when I visited Northfield as a prospective parent. She brought me to tears with her understanding that I had poured everything into my children, and that I was entrusting them to her and her school. From then on, she accompanied our family through milestones as a beloved mentor and mother.
ReplyDeleteEven more, she was a mentor/dreamer, encouraging me beyond my expectations to hope and do things that she believed were worthy. Her strength and the record of her remarkable accomplishments made all sorts of wonderful ideas seem possible. It is hard for me to conceive how much she encouraged and counseled me as I worked through ways to develop communities, knowing that she probably had hundreds of others that she was equally invested in.
I also see the beautiful fruit of her work in unexpected places, not least of which are the schools inspired by her strength, a community of families that was able to grow because of her generosity, and my family, all of whom will smile whenever we think of our indomitable and legendary friend, Mrs. Elder.