Ella Reva Coley

Ella Reva Coley was born April 8, 1929, in Russellville, Arkansas. Reva was one of four children and grew up in and around the town of Russellville, where she graduated from Russellville High School in 1947. After high school, Reva attended Arkansas Tech University. It was here that she met a young sailor, John Roy Coley, who was home from serving in WWII and attending mechanical school. They were married on July 14, 1950. John and Reva moved from Arkansas to Big Spring, Texas in 1953. After having enough of the West Texas sand, in 1954 they relocated to Dallas where John took a job at the new General Motors assembly plant in Arlington, Texas. Reva also took a job as an administrative secretary at Lone Star Gas Company in Dallas, where she worked for 11 years until the birth of her son, Shaun, in 1965. In 1967, after the birth of her daughter, Cherry, Reva became a stay-at-home mom. In 1971, Reva became the first director of a new childrens daycare center at her church, Friendship Baptist of Dallas. This decision gave her the opportunity to follow two passions " her love for children and her love for her Lord. She served in this ministerial position until 1984. Several years later, Reva went back to work utilizing her office skills at Union Bankers Insurance in Dallas as an Executive Secretary. She was employed there from 1988 until her retirement in 1996. Reva was a fighter. Three times she was diagnosed with cancer and against all odds she defeated it all three times. She was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1984, a time when that diagnosis was usually considered a death sentence. She was diagnosed a second time in 1990 and in 1996, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. But Reva didnt fight alone Her Savior strengthened and sustained her through each of her fights. Reva was a giver, not only to her family but also to others. After recovering from her first bout with cancer, Reva began volunteering at Doctors Hospital in Dallas. Working in the cancer ward, she gave strength to those in the middle of their battle with cancer and comforted those who lost loved ones. Reva loved her friends, and spending time with them was one of the things she enjoyed most. Whether it was quilting, crocheting or knitting, playing 42, or just sharing stories; talking to her friends filled her life with joy. With her peculiar sense of humor, she loved reminiscing about old times and discussing future plans. Reva was a woman who loved her family with all her heart and they meant the world to her. She made her family a top priority in her life. She gave up many things and dreams of her own so that they would have more. But first in Revas life was her relationship with her Savior. Christ was her refuge and strength, and her daily Bible study and prayer time sustained her in lifes darkest hours. Finally, she overcame her final obstacle, when at age 82, she passed peacefully from this life at her home in Dallas, to be with her Lord and loved ones that had gone before her on Monday, December 12, 2011. Survivors include her son, Shaun Coley and his wife, Jamie; daughter, Cherry Coley; and granddaughters, Casey and Lindsey Keal. Reva was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, John Coley; her mother, Audrey Skidmore Swopes; father, Harrison Swopes; brothers, Odell and Wendell Swopes; and sister, Marlene Swopes Thomas. For Mom " by Cherry Coley I didnt think I would be writing this so soon. I am again asked to give a glimpse into the life of someone I love so very much. Its only been 2 ½ months since dad left us and it was too hard, too much for you. So though there is no way to put all I feel into words, I will try. Ella Reva Swopes was born April 8, 1929 in Russellville, Arkansas. She hated to be called Ella so she went by her middle name Reva. Mom was one of four children born to Harrison and Audrey Swopes. I remember rolling my eyes at the stories of them walking in the snow, sometimes barefoot going to school, uphill both ways. Then about six years ago I had a chance to go up the mountain to see that old schoolhouse that is still standing. Set back in the woods, halfway up the mountain and down in a small valley, it really would have been an uphill walk both ways. I never rolled my eyes at that story again. Life in those days was hard and Odell, Revas older brother and twin to Wendell, passed away from yellow fever at two years old. Growing up in a time of hardship made the family very close and work together to help each other to survive. Reva became an excellent seamstress as a teenager and made many of the dresses that she, her mom and her sister Marlene wore. Later when she herself became a mom, she made most of my clothes growing up as well. In 1950, Reva was attending Arkansas University. While going to a roller skating social one night, a young man was talking and not watching where he was going while skating towards her. He knocked her down and broke her arm. He was so upset he tripped over her that he stayed with her and kept checking on her. He was also captivated with her smile and bright brown eyes. That man, named John R. Coley became the love of her life and later on my dad. They left Arkansas and lived in Big Spring, Texas. After a short time there they decided to move to Dallas, Texas for better opportunities. There Reva took a job working for Lone Star Gas Company while John obtained a job working for General Motors. Family had always been very important for the couple and they stayed close to Revas sister Marlene and her husband Basil Thomas. Marlene and Basil had two children of their own that Reva and John often babysat and enjoyed named Carey and Wesley Thomas. Finally the moment came and the two had children of their own, Shaun and Cherry Coley (me). I was born early and struggled with asthma and in 1971, mom made a decision to stay home and take care of her family. Though she loved being a administrative secretary, she loved her family more. It was in the interest of staying close to her children that she took a job as the first director of Friendship Baptist Church and Daycare. Through her leadership and direction the daycare gained a good reputation and offered not just childcare, but teaching for very young children. In 1978, I was attending a revival at our church and though I was surrounded by my peers, it was my mom who noticed my struggle from across the room. It was my mom who saw me escape out of the back of the sanctuary and who followed me to the car. It was my mom who held me while I cried at war with myself and it was she who led me to Christ that day in January and changed my life forever. In 1984, the world would change for Reva forever. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and given a mere 6 months to live. I can remember my mom telling the doctor, You dont know me, and you havent seen what my God can do. She suffered and struggled through two years of intense chemotherapy and the woman with 6 months to live, kept living and then volunteered at the hospital to lead groups and share with other cancer patients. It took her awhile to get back into the regular workforce and a kind woman at Wesleyan Baptist Church let her work at her own pace as an administrative assistant. They updated her computer skills and helped her get back into the swing of things. She then went to work at Union Bankers Insurance in 1988. In 1990, the monster named cancer came back for a second time, but it was quickly removed and dealt with. Then in 1996, she had another fight with breast cancer which she also struggled through and kept on going. My mom was the strongest person Ive ever met known with the strongest faith Ive ever seen. When she was faced with the question that so many that are sick wonder " Why me, God? She herself answered saying, Why not me? Her message was simple, we are given trials in this life so we can grow closer to God. We have choices all along the way, but He is there and His strength never fails. Mom, you and I were so very different. You have been hard on me and pushed me constantly to be better, to do more, to keep searching for who I am, where I belong, expand my horizons. You taught me to never be satisfied with just getting by, but to keep going and to do my best in whatever circumstance or situation I was faced with. You were my mentor, my guide, my constant help and strength. You are the reason I am still here. I understand now that though we have not always agreed, and often had very different point of views, everything you did was for the love of your family. Reva Coley you will be so very missed, your family is forever in your debt. We love you, mom.