Erma Lee Keeney Cole, age 97, of Brownwood (Thrifty) passed away Sunday, December 28, 2014 in Brownwood. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 3, 2015 at 2 PM at Rocky Creek Baptist Church with Bill Slaymaker officiating. Interment will follow at Zephyr Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM on Friday at Davis-Morris Funeral Home.
Erma Lee was born in Divot, Texas on September 29, 1917 to Claude and Mittie Keeney. She graduated valedictorian from Divot High School and went on to obtain a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Howard Payne University in 1939. She taught primarily English and Special Education from 1939 to 1983 in Zephyr, Brownwood, Melvin, Water Valley, McCamey, Big Lake and Deer Park, Texas. While teaching in Deer Park, she earned a Masters Degree from the University of Houston.
Erma Lee married Robert Randall Cole of Zephyr on July 14, 1945 in McNeil, Texas. They made their first home in McCamey, Texas and retired to their last home in Brownwood in 1985. She was a member of Rocky Creek Baptist Church, a Sunday School teacher, a member of Brown County Retired Teachers, volunteered at Good Samaritans as well as the “soup kitchen” at Salvation Army and was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. All who knew here were touched by her goodness and lifted by her kindness.
Erma is survived by one son, Robert Carlton Cole and wife, Michele of Brownwood and one daughter, Randa Lee Atha and husband Reggie of Brownwood; two grandchildren, Robert Leon Cole and wife, Victoria of Deer Park, Texas and Teah Michelle Bishop and husband Michael of Cleveland, Texas; seven great grandchildren, Haley, Christian, Isabella, Quentin and Noah Cole and Madison and John Bishop; two brothers Albert Keeney of Lake Jackson, Texas and Ernest Keeney of La Grange, Texas; one sister, Claudine Carter of Hale Center, Texas, as well as other brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, her parents and one sister, Bryce Greer.
The family would like to thank all of those who generously sent food, gifts and cards, but most of all love to her during the last months of her life; and to Oak Ridge Manor for the sweet, tender care they took of her. May God bless each and every one of you.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Rocky Creek Baptist Church Vacation Bible School.
Online condolences can be left at www.davismorrisfuneralhome.com.
