Ila Nadine Coble

She was born on September 21, 2006, in Nacogdoches to parents, Dean and Theresa Coble.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 15, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at Grace Bible Church with Pastor Justin Beadles officiating. On Friday, January 14, from 5-7 p.m., visitation will be held at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors at 5400 North Street in Nacogdoches. On Saturday, prior to the service, visitation will be held from 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Grace Bible Church in the church sanctuary.

Ila loved art, painting, music, swimming and all four-legged creatures. Describing Ila requires adjectives that burst at the seams: spirited, energetic, radiant and fearless. Ila lived life full throttle, loving everything within the sweep of her vision with tenderness and devotion. Her parents often awoke to see eyes twinkling, arms embracing, and fingertips pat-pat-patting. There was Ila, cradling us in her unconditional love. Ila loved her big brother Ivan. Admittedly, she learned early on how to push all his buttons. Ivan’s forbearance and love draped over her shoulders like a protective arm. As a young girl, she had an amazing opportunity to live in Taiwan. Her preschool friends in Taiwan, her teachers and classmates at SFA’s Early Childhood Lab, her family members near and far—Ila encouraged them all with her eager smile. She never met a stranger. But more than that, she brought strangers together transforming isolated groups into an interactive whole. Ila we honor your spirit. We grieve to lose you so soon. We miss you so much. We pray to grow our hearts as big as yours.

Ila is survived by her parents, Dean and Theresa Coble of Nacogdoches; brother, Ivan Coble of Nacogdoches; maternal grandfather, Norman Goldman of Ft. Myers, Florida; paternal grandparents, Wayne and Nancy Coble of Arlington, Texas; uncle, Anthony Goldman of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; uncle and aunt, David and Laura Perkins of Arlington; and cousins, Jackson, Katherine, and Harrison Perkins of Arlington.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either: (1) The Ila Coble Memorial Scholarship, c/o SFA Alumni Association, P.O. Box 6096, Nacogdoches, Texas, 75962 (make checks payable to the “SFA Alumni Association,” subject line: Ila Coble Memorial Scholarship) or (2) The Community Healing Garden, c/o SFA Gardens, P.O. Box 13000, Nacogdoches, Texas, 75962 (make checks payable to “SFA Gardens,” subject line: Ila Coble/Community Healing Garden).

Condolences accepted at www.casonmonk-metcalf.com

Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, located at 5400 North St., Nacogdoches, Texas.