Ethelyn Mai Eads

Ethelyn Mai Coleman Eads passed away peacefully on May 16, 2024, in Jefferson, Texas. Born on February 28, 1935, in the quaint town of Karnack, Texas, Ethelyn lived a life marked by grace, elegance, and a deep love for her family and the land.
Ethelyn was a graduate of Marshall High School, class of 1953, and furthered her education at North Texas University where she studied interior design. This education reflected her lifelong passion for beauty and order. Ethelyn's impeccable taste and eye for design were evident in the meticulous care with which she maintained her childhood home in Jonesville, Texas, which she helped restore. She took immense pride in this labor of love, ensuring the home was always well taken care of with fresh flowers and maintained to perfection.
Ethelyn was very much a lady in all respects, cherishing her role as a matriarch and adoring the time spent surrounded by her beloved family. She was known for her ladylike demeanor, which she gracefully balanced with her adventurous spirit during family camping trips and outdoor excursions, always proving to be a cheerful and resilient trooper. She made the best of everything.
Ethelyn was deeply loved by her late husband, Galen Eads, who was the love of her life and with whom she shared countless cherished memories. She treasured his daily notes, which expressed his enduring love and informed her of his whereabouts, always inviting her to join him. Together, they enjoyed many adventures, including memorable trips to Branson with their dear friends, Richard and Dorothy Ellis and Warren and Patsy Keys.
Ethelyn leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion, survived by her children, Galen Lamar Eads III and wife, Millie Jan, Susan Fischer and husband, Galen Hugh, and Shannon Lyn Wallace and husband Christopher Mark. She was the proud grandmother to Caroline Marie Rush, Elisabeth Anne Fischer, Catherine Priscilla Simmons, William Winston Eads, Mitchell Butler Eads, Madeline Taylor Eads, Matthew Eads Wallace, Amanda Claire Chapman, Kyle Edward Wallace, and Thomas Mark Wallace. Her lineage continues through her cherished great-grandchildren, Fischer James Rush, Rose Marie Rush, Benjamin Corbin Eads, Emily Anne Eads, Barrett Coleman Eads, Mitchell Butler Eads, Jr., Harper Nicole Eads, Avery Hollyn Eads, Scarlett Jane Simmons, Dorothy Louise Simmons, Juliette Cate Simmons, Vail Amelia Chapman, and Fritz Theodore Chapman.
Ethelyn was the beloved sister to Mary Ross Thrasher, Helen Earl Coleman, Carolyn Darby, and Bill Coleman. She will also be fondly remembered by numerous nieces, nephews, other family members, and a host of friends who were touched by her kindness and grace.
Preceding her in death were her devoted husband, Galen Eads, her parents, Will Whaley and Edith Mai Coleman, and her sister, Martha Coleman Parten. Ethelyn's departure is a profound loss to all who knew her, yet her elegance, warmth, and the love she shared with so many will continue to resonate in the hearts of those she touched.
Ethelyn's life was a testament to the power of love, family, and beauty. She will be deeply missed, but her spirit will live on through the beautiful memories she created and the lives she influenced. Her family takes comfort in knowing that Ethelyn has now reunited with her beloved Galen and is at peace.
Ethelyn's life will be celebrated in a ceremony reflecting the beauty and dignity with which she lived every day. Her family will cherish her memory and honor her legacy by continuing to live with the same love and care that she exemplified throughout her remarkable life.
Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 10:00am at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Leigh, Texas with Rev. Guido Verbeck and Chaplain Brad Watson officiating. She will be interred next to her husband at Concord Cemetery in Jonesville, Texas. Serving as pallbearers will be William Winston Eads, Mitchell Butler Eads, Matthew Eads Wallace, Kyle Edward Wallace, Thomas Mark Wallace and Leslie Earl Bradshaw. Honorary pallbearers will be Richard Ellis, Warren Keys and George Cook. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Ethelyn's memory to St. Jude's Children Hospital, Concord Cemetery Association or to the Marshall Literacy Council.