Ellen Simmons Steen

1941 - 2019

Ellen "Puddin" Simmons Steen passed away peacefully on her house boat in Slidell, Louisiana Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at the age of 77. She was born in Columbia Mississippi February 24, 1941 to Dr. W. E. Simmons and Elizabeth (Beacham) Simmons. Ellen is the eldest of four children, her siblings are Judy Richards, William (Bill) Simmons and Elizabeth (Libby) Henley-Best. As a young girl she competed on the Tennessee walking horse circuit with her mare Silver Slipper. She was a graduate of Columbia High School class of 1958. She attended the University of Houston where she studied psychology and graduated in 1963. While at U of H she met Wiley H. Steen of New Orleans. They married in 1961 and were married for 57 years. Ellen was known for her love of dance and music. She was head majorette of her high school and a majorette at U of H. She placed 3rd nationally as a baton twirler and was selected by the US State Department in 1959 as majorette leader to travel and perform in Cuba. After graduating from college she lived in Lafayette where she became a charter member and inaugural president of Avec Souci a service league organization now amalgamated into the Junior League. She was also a member of the DAR. In her 30's she lived abroad because of Wiley's work. One of her passions was to travel, so she took advantage of this time and visited over 40 countries. In 1976 at the request of the Republic of Singapore she organized that countries first majorette drill team which has continually marched in parades throughout Southeast Asia. In 1976 the Steens moved to Spring Texas where Ellen became an avid player of bridge and tennis. Proud of being 1/8 Cherokee Indian she was adept at genealogy and traced the lineage of all other family members back to their arrivals in the United States. After their daughter Lara Helen graduated from high school, Ellen began to work in the oil and gas industry. Her work took her throughout the United States thus allowing her to continue her love of travel. Ellen always had a love of water, so, closer to retirement they moved to Slidell and bought a house boat. She let it be known she truly loved living on their boat and being on the bayou. Ellen leaves behind her husband Wiley, her daughter Lara Helen McAndrew and husband John and grandsons Brennan and Connor. A memorial service will be held at First Methodist Church of Slidell, 433 Erlanger Ave, Slidell February 1, 2019 at 11am. Ellen loved the congregation of the First Methodist Church. She participated in Feed Dat ministry as long as she had the capacity. RIP much loved and missed.