Idell Matkin Coward, 79, of Silsbee died peacefully on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 at Memorial Hermann Baptist Hospital in Beaumont, Texas. Idell was born on March 11, 1928 in Colfax, Louisiana, moving to Silsbee at the age of four, where she continued to reside and raise her family until her death. She was a caring, kindhearted woman with a great love for her family and friends.
Idell, is survived by her husband of sixty years, Claude Coward, one daughter, Margie Hohensee, one son, Claude Wayne Coward and his wife Fran Coward, all of Silsbee. She is also survived by one grandson, Todd Hill of Beaumont, two granddaughters, Michele Turley of Orange, Melanie Ayres and husband Allen Ayres of Beaumont, and four great-grandchildren, Taylor Turley, Haleigh Turley, Ashlyn Turley, of Orange, and David Ayres, of Beaumont. Idell's surviving sisters are Dorothy Sellers and Betty Stewart, both of Beaumont. She is preceded in death by her parents Sterling and Dora (Bullitt) Matkin, one brother, Robert Matkin, and two sisters, Maple Spell and Sybil Dulaney.
Funeral services will be 10:00a.m. Thursday, December 6, 2007 at Farmer Funeral Home Chapel in Silsbee with interment to follow at R. S. Farmer Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to the Pinecrest Baptist Church in Silsbee, where Idell was a longtime member.
