Adene Tommie Steele

Adene “Tommie” Steele, age 96, of Eaton, passed away October 3, 2015, at Grace Pointe in Greeley. She was born on May 15, 1919, in Grand Saline, Texas, to William and Elva Thompson, the youngest of eight children.

Tommie graduated from Grand Saline High School in 1935 and attended North Texas State Teachers College in Denton, TX, where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education. She was only 19 years old when she got her first teaching job in Leonard, Texas. She later taught English and speech in Gaston, TX. While there, her responsibilities included coaching debate, extemporaneous speaking, impromptu speaking, and one act plays. She was also in charge of school assemblies in Gaston when she arranged to have women recruiters from the Marine Corps visit. They impressed her with their articulation and sophistication, and Tommie was persuaded to join the Marine Corps at that time. She was stationed in Camp Lejeune for basic training and then sent to Camp Pendleton in San Diego. While at Camp Pendleton she met George Steele, who had recently returned from the war in the Pacific where he fought in the battle at Guadalcanal. They married on July 28, 1946, in Loveland, Colorado.

George and Tommie moved to Eaton in 1952 to run the Steele Bros. Grocery Store. They joined the Eaton Baptist Church, where Tommie was active through the years, teaching both Sunday school and VBS and giving timeless effort to other church activities. George introduced Tommie to golf, and that became a passion in her life. They were charter members of the Eaton Country Club. She also played at Highland Hills in Greeley, Greeley CC and Collindale in Fort Collins. She enjoyed team play and developed many wonderful golf friends through the years. Tommie served as vice-president of the Colorado Women’s Golf Association for four years, and after turning 50, she was a member of the Senior CWGA. A special thrill for her was when she made the “90 Club” at Greeley Country Club. She finally retired her clubs at the age of 88. Tommie served as a Girl Scout leader for several years, was on the Eaton Library Board for 29 years, was a member of the Eaton Historical Society and the Centennial Committee, and for 15 years enjoyed research and writing a column for the Eaton Herald. She loved reading, writing notes of encouragement to others, and golf.

In her last years she endured declining health but always maintained her faith and appreciation for the long, happy life God gave her and gave Him the glory for that. She will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, and her gift of encouragement to others and as a wonderful mother, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Tommie’s family would like to express their gratitude to the staff for the gracious care and thoughtful gestures extended to them during her stay at Grace Pointe.

She is survived by her children, Marsha Butler (Dave) of Lenexa, KS, and her son, Alan Steele (Ingrid) of Fort Collins; 4 grandchildren, Duane, Pat, and Joel Butler and Camila Steele; and 10 great-grandchildren, Josh and Sarah Butler; Ben, Ryan, Paige, and Joe Butler; and Brandon, Andrew, Riley, and Alex Butler.

Tommie was preceded in death by her husband, George; her parents William and Elva Thompson; and 7 brothers and sisters.

A Visitation will be held at the Allnutt Macy Chapel, 702 13th St., Greeley, Wednesday October 7, 2015 from 6-9 PM. Services will be held Thursday, October 8, 2015, at 10 AM at Eaton Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the First Baptist Church of Eaton in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 702 13th St., Greeley, CO 80631. Friends may view the online obituary and send condolences at www.allnutt.com.