Delores Eleanor “Diz” Coffman, 89, of Amarillo, Texas, formerly of Munday and Stratford Texas, passed peacefully, surrounded by loving family, on December 20th, 2021.
Memorial services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Monday, January 3rd, 2022, at the First United Methodist Church in Stratford, TX. Chaplain Dr. G. A. Roach will be officiating with graveside services to follow. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.
This is the story of Diz Coffman.
Born “Delores” to George and Alice Markley on June 29th, 1932, in Highmore, South Dakota. She was 1 of 11 children born to a small-town family. A gently-reared South Dakota lass found herself swept off her feet by “Powder” Coffman, a not so mild-mannered Texas Cowboy spending his senior year at Highmore. The consequences and ensuing “wild ride” lasted 73 years. Powder Coffman defined her life. She lost the love of her life in 2005 and became the Matriarch of our family with great grace and poise.
Powder moved Diz (and Baby Colleen) to Stratford, Texas, and planted her right in the middle of a nest of Coffmans. Diz thrived even in the “Little Dude” (a two-room house), and they added Carey Ted to the family, moving to a trailer house in the country. Here Diz was introduced to Tornado Alley when 2—- not 1—- of her trailer homes were destroyed. Just as Diz was getting her family grown, she was blessed with Chad.
Thankfully Diz could make any place a home. She was a bit like Jesus with the loaves and fishes. She could conjure a meal out of nothing and a party out of almost nothing. Stratford Methodist Church ladies are still passing around her recipes.
Being able to spend the remainder of her life in her own home was an incredible blessing for Diz. She ceaselessly created, entertained, wrote poetry, gardened, and painted. Healthy, active, independent, and close to loved ones, her contagious energy, dry wit, and love of pranks lasted her entire life. She always had quite a story, which occasionally changed with the telling. The official family optimist above all else, her legacy to our family is immense and her impact on us all will last for generations.
She was the last in the life of her 5 brothers and 5 sisters and was preceded in death by her parents, George and Alice Markley; her husband, Homer Ted “Powder” Coffman; a grandson, Christopher Bennett; and a great-grandson, Carter McCloud.
She is survived by her three children, Colleen, Carey, and Chad; her grandchildren, Korte, Keitha, Ky, and Heather; and 4 great-grandchildren, Paisley, Evan, Zegan, and Harper.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers or other honorariums, that everyone considers unconditional love of others, the forgiveness of the undeserving, eternal optimism, and encouragement to all who struggle or doubt.
Sign the online guestbook at www.boxwellbrothers.com.
Diz was a special “aunt in law” but most of all she was “my special friend!!!! I will forever be grateful for the advice, tutoring in food, sewing and everything else she could help me with. I will always remember her greeting “HI DAR”!!!!! You are now with Powder and PI and all the others in Heaven. I love you Diz.
What a wonderful rememberance – thank you! I already was feasting on memories and this inspired many more. Even though Aunt Diz lived at a distance, she always kept up with her large family and nieces and nephews and made our lives more colorful. She doted on Grandma Alice, and it is a precious thing that Diz was cared for from her home these last years. Your requests will be honored. Love, Cindy
Such beautiful memories and photo of our beloved. All so true, and what and who Aunt Diz was! We all loved her, her humor and frankness, her kindness and love of all. We all have so many good memories and stories. My kids loved her and have a special place in their hearts of good memories. Fortunately our grandkids got to meet her 5 years ago and remember what a “cool” lady she was!
She and my husband (Mansoor) had a special bond and he loved getting to know her and felt the warmth and love she had for all.
She will always be in our memories. May she rest in peace and her memory be a blessing to all.