Teddye Coleman Stephan

Teddye was born on August 15, 1946, to Bob and Beth Coleman. She was among the first born of the baby boomer generation and was always thankful when noting that she lived in one of the most prosperous times in history. She was patriotic and loved the United States of America.

Teddye also was proud of having grown up in Crane, Texas, with her younger brother, Kerry Bob. He was the delight of her early years, and she tended to mother him, even though he was just three years younger. Teddye’s mother Beth was a sunny, happy woman who loved taking care of her family as a homemaker. Bob, Teddye’s father, was a principled man who strove to work hard to provide for the family as he worked in the oil industry.

The Coleman family attended the Crane Church of Christ, where Teddye learned about God and the importance of truth. In her baby book, Teddye’s mother expressed her wish that Teddye would always seek the truth and tell other people, maintaining her integrity.

Later, Teddye would use her talent as a writer to tell people “the plain truth” as a newspaper reporter for The Fort Stockton Pioneer. She worked from 1978 to 1993 as first a news reporter and later as the editor. She wrote straight news stories, a personal column called “Bear Facts,” features, and editorials. Over those years, she won many awards from the Texas Press Association for her coverage of local events and opinion pieces. She enjoyed the work and balanced home and family life well.

Teddye had attended secretarial school after graduation from Crane High School a year early. She worked for the Midland Chamber of Commerce until she met and married a tall farmer who rescued her dog (Muffie) after she jumped from an open car window at a drive-thru restaurant. After their wedding on September 2, 1967, they lived in the new and bustling farming community at Coyanosa, Texas. They were overjoyed to become parents; Kerry Shannon was born in 1969, and Julie Beth came along in 1975.

Teddye was a devoted wife, mother, sister, daughter, and coworker. She loved people and was warm, although she was an introvert who needed time alone to function best. She loved animals, small children, gardening, football, and reading. She was a particular fan of mysteries. She published two books in her life, a book of poetry and a memoire. She also edited a book for Olan George (Roundup of Memories) and wrote much of the Pecos County history book. She was heavily involved in West Texans for Life and the Pecos County Historical Society. After leaving the newspaper, Teddye enjoyed working outdoors in her yard and cultivating close relationships with a small number of lifelong friends. She greatly enjoyed being a grandmother, and after the death of her daughter-in-law, Teddye raised Shannon’s three-

and-a-half year old daughter, Shanda Lindsey. Later, she developed a very sweet relationship with Julie’s special needs son, Matthew. In addition, Teddye was known for being a doting aunt and was generous to family members and Christian charities. Her favorite Bible verses were Philippians 4:4-9.

Teddye is preceded in death by her father Bob Coleman Jr., mother Mona Beth Lamb, stepfather Calvin Lamb, brother Kerry Coleman, and husband Clarence. She leaves behind her son Shannon Stephan of Coyanosa, daughter Julie (Wes) Phillips of Horizon City, grandson Kerry Stephan of Bastrop, granddaughter Shanda (Skyler) Aschenbeck of Ponder, grandson Matthew Phillips of Horizon City, and many other relatives who are part of the Coleman, Lamb, and Phillips families.