Julia Jean Coffey

Julia attended Hunter Creek Elementary, Spring Branch Jr. High and Memorial Sr. High. She participated in, and won, the 1965 Miss Houston competition and went on to win categories of the Miss Texas pageant. When her reign as Miss Houston was complete, she moved to Tucson, Arizona which is where she met and married her husband, Capt. Fred Hall, USAF. Tragically, Fred’s plane was shot down while on a mission in Vietnam, killing him and the pilot, Major Ernest DeSoto. It was this event that began her lifelong participation in the POW-MIA organization. Some years later Julia re-married and she and her husband, Alvin Tracy Coffey, relocated to Houston’s Memorial Park area where they began a new life. They adopted a son, Matthew Coffey, whom Julia loved dearly. Sadly, Matt passed away in December of 2024, preceding her in death by only 5 months. Julia is survived by brother Eric H. Keith and wife Karen; Mimi Sutton and husband Mark; two nieces and a nephew: Rachael Keith Goldsberry, Renee Keith Linn and Erbin B Keith.

Julia was very fortunate to have an incredible and loving group of friends and family for support during the final years, months and days of her illness. The family gives a special ‘Thank you’ to her devoted friends (and adopted family) Richard Barnhart and Julie Gagliardi. And another ’thank you’ to her ex-husband, Tracy Coffey, who offered her much comfort after their loss of Matthew. Finally, we want to say “thank you” to Maria 'Berta' Luis and Carlton Johnson for a lifetime of love, support and caring.

RIP Julia.