Ellen Fern Coats Keele

Ellen Fern Coats Keele was born on February 11, 1931 in Chillicothe, Texas to Harold Victor Coats and Gay Edna Ketchersid Coats. She was the seventh of nine children. She married Paul Benjamin Keele, Jr. on July 28, 1950 in Seagraves, Texas. She passed into glory on July 18, 2020 in San Antonio, Texas.

Ellen was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 69 years, Paul B. Keele, Jr. in October of 2019. She is survived by sisters, Martha Hargrove of Farmer’s Branch, and Peggy Conrad of Abilene; one brother, Paul Coats of Lubbock; three children, Elicia (David) Webb, of San Antonio, Kevin (Kris) Keele of Tyler, and Jana (Kyle) Miller, of San Antonio; ten grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren with one on the way; along with many nieces and nephews.

Ellen’s family moved from Chillicothe to Seagraves, Texas when she was around five years old. She graduated from Seagraves High School in 1948. She was a good student and was active in FHA, Chorus, the Junior Play, Annual Staff, and the band and was the drum major for the band her Senior year.

Ellen moved to Austin after graduating and worked at the Department of Public Safety. She met Paul at church in Austin and they married on July 28, 1950 in Seagraves, Texas, after he graduated from the University of Texas Pharmacy School. Paul and Ellen were blessed with 3 children and Ellen was a devoted stay-at-home mother and active in church ministry for many years in Big Spring, Texas. Ellen later went to Howard College and graduated with an Associate Degree in Medical Assistance and went on to work at the Big Spring State Hospital for 3 years. Paul and Ellen then moved to Midland, Texas, where they co-owned Graham Pharmacy with their friends, Wesley and Doris Graham. Ellen worked alongside Paul as a Pharmacy Tech and was also a buyer for the gift shop in Graham’s for 12 years until retirement.

After retirement, Paul and Ellen traveled extensively, spent time with their children’s families, and enjoyed their beloved summer home on a ranch close to Camp Wood, Texas. They settled in San Angelo, Texas for the next 25 years until moving to San Antonio, Texas in 2016.

Ellen was a Godly wife and mother and served her precious Lord and Savior by serving others. She was a wonderful cook, talented seamstress, and gardener. She was an active member of the Churches of Christ wherever they lived and loved serving people in many different capacities. She loved to sing hymns and praises in her strong alto voice. She volunteered for Meals on Wheels, and the American Cancer Society by delivering meals to the homebound and taking people to their cancer treatments. She was loved and will be missed by all who knew her.

The family wishes to thank the caregivers of AA Senior Care Services and Kindred Hospice who gave our mom such compassionate, dignified and professional care.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to:

Christian Relief Fund: www.ChristianReliefFund.org

Or:

Berean Children’s Home: bereanhome.org