Phyllis Coons

Phyllis "Eloise" Coons age 81 passed away in Coffeyville, Kansas in her home with her family at her side.

Eloise was born on December 29, 1943 in Baxter Springs, Kansas to Henry Lucian and Hazel Katherine (Wilson) Boyd, she was one of three children growing up with two brothers Maurice and Bud. The Boyd family were musically talented; they sang and played Gospel Music in church and traveled to area churches too. Eloise could play multiple instruments, God blessed her with the gift to play by ear. It was during her childhood that she developed a deep relationship with her Lord and Savior Christ Jesus, her faith is what carried her through all of life's challenges.

She attended school in Miami, Oklahoma, and completed her early education there. As an adult she worked in several places but in 1993 she returned to school to pursue her dream of being a Registered Nurse, upon graduation and passing her state boards she went to work at Windsor Place Nursing Home and retired after 20 years of service. She was responsible for bringing the concept of the Eden Alternative to Windsor Place. Eloise was also passionate about children and their well being, she volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) it was important to her to stand up and speak out to help abused and neglected children.

Eloise married the love of her life Carl Marion Coons on December 29, 1977 and though they didn't keep their marriage a secret they did kept their special date a secret to be shared just between them. Sadly, Carl preceded her in death on February 9, 1993. It was just recently that she told their children the special date as they were reflecting on the deep love they had shared and how they enjoyed traveling setting out for new experiences, going to horse races, local auctions, day trips especially in the spring to Muskogee for the Azalea Festival, or a simple impromptu overnight get away. Later, when life slowed down. Eloise enjoyed the occasional trip to the Casino with her kids, and she often times was quite the winner.

Eloise was a wonderful loving and nurturing mom, she was creative, artistic and used those skills to create elaborate birthday cakes for her children, Jim , Venice, Ron and Shannon. They vividly remember waiting for the Rocking Horse Cake with black licorice for the bridle and reins, or a Barbie cake with a dress of beautifully scalloped icing . She was a master woodworker too, making numerous rocking chairs, toy chest and anything else she put her mind to build.

Oh, when the grandchildren and the great grandchildren came along, Eloise wasn't any different with them than their parents, she loved them each uniquely, supporting them in every activity, cheering them on in everything they did. She continued to make special gifts for her grandchildren as she did for her children. Eloise was also an excellent cook so her family was always treated to a delicious meal. One thing for sure, they all knew they were loved. Her family was everything to her.

Eloise leaves a rich legacy behind with her children Venice Maples-Hilton and husband Bob, Ron Maples and wife Sheila, Shannon and husband Jeff Andres, daughter in law Annette Maples, 12 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, 4 great, great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Hazel Boyd, brothers Maurice Wayne and Buddy Joe, husband Carl, son James E. Maples III.

Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at 2pm a Celebration of Eloise's life will be held at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave, Coffeyville, she will be laid to rest next to her husband Carl in Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. The Family will receive friends also at the chapel on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 from 6-8pm where they welcome you to share your fond memories of Eloise. For those wishing to make a monetary contribution in Eloise's memory the family request that be made payable to Court Appointed Special Advocates® (CASA) contributions can be left in care of the chapel or done directly through their website https://www.kansascasa.org/volunteernow/donate.html To share a memory, leave a special message of condolence or view the streaming of the service visit her obituary page at www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com