Lela Kerley

Lela Elizabeth Kerley, 96, formerly of Mexia passed away in Sulphur Springs, Texas on January 31, 2010. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM, Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at Blair-Stubbs Chapel. Rev. Joe Walts will officiate with interment to follow in the Mart Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be 6-8 pm Tuesday at the funeral home. Lela was born to Seaborn Isaiha and Ida Myrtle (Demore) Cotten on February 1, 1913 in Milam County near Rockdale, Texas. She had four sisters, Addie, Clara, Artie and Mable and one brother, Bennie. All have preceded her in death except Mabel Loesch who now lives in Michigan with her daughter. Lela Kerley was preceded in death by her husband Ottie A. Kerley in July 1978; daughter Frances Lavern Kerley Graham in August 2006; and three grandchildren. She is survived by six of her seven children: James Leldon Kerley of Emory, TX; Everett Bain Kerley and wife Ima Jean of Houston, TX; Ruby Faye Nash of Lewisville, TX; Raymond Neal Kerley of Midlothian, TX; Mack Arlie Kerley and wife Ruth of Emory, TX; and Delbert Wayne Kerley and wife Judy of Wills Point, TX.; 17 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and 6 great-great grandchildren. Lela married Ottie A. Kerley on February 2nd, 1929 at the age of 16. She was a homemaker for many years in the Hubbard and Prairie Hill communities. She and Ottie moved to Mexia in 1969. Lela worked at Mexia State School as a nurse's aid for 19 years and retired in 1977. The family was always entertaining someone, especially while the children were growing up on the farm. There were always boys ready to go hunting or a young SMU student minister visiting from the little Methodist Church in Prairie Hill there for Sunday lunch. She was an excellent cook, a down home style cook. Lela enjoyed cooking for anyone that came by to visit. She won several cooking contest at her church. She was also an excellent seamstress and enjoyed her quilting and fellowship with her friends at church. Lela's caring for her family, visiting with friends and attending church were her passions in life. Memorials may be made to the charity of choice.