Jean Steele's Obituary
Steele, Myrtle Jean Goodwin, born March 5, 1924 in Myrtle Springs, Texas and passed away July 19, 2016 in Abilene, Texas. Preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Tollie Frank Steele and daughter Shirley Irene Steele; parents Joe Dennis and Myrtle (Murrey) Goodwin; sister Louise Lamb; and brothers Glen, Thomas, and William Goodwin. Survived by children James Frank Steele and Nancy Jean Steele and husband James Quinnett; grandchildren Lisa and husband David Brownrigg, Alexis Steele and husband Mark Huston, and Erin and husband Brian Coley; and great-grandchildren Jack Brownrigg and wife Lexie, Sam Brownrigg, Bridget Brownrigg, and Thomas Keely. Family will receive friends on Friday, July 29, 2016 from 4:00-8:00 PM at Restland Funeral Home. Service will be held on Saturday, July 30, 2016 at 2:30 PM at Restland Funeral Home. Myrtle Jean Goodwin was born in Myrtle Springs, TX on March 5, 1924, the fourth of five children of Joe Dennis Goodwin and Myrtle Murrey Goodwin. Known most of her life by her middle name, Jean Goodwin spent her youth on farms near Myrtle Springs and Wills Point, except for a few years as a child in Silverton and Eastland, TX. She and brother Bill were several years younger than their three older siblings, and were the last to leave the farm. Jean graduated from Wills Point High School in 1941. She met future husband Tollie Steele in 1941 through the efforts of her older brother Glen and Glen’s fiancée, Tollie’s younger sister Ruth, who married in 1942. Jean attended Dallas Business College, and Tollie joined the NAVY at the beginning of World War II, the two marrying in San Diego in 1943. They had three children, Shirley Irene (stillborn) in 1944, James Frank in 1947, and Nancy Jean in 1949. Jean’s world was her family, and she provided unselfish love and undying support to each member. The same loving spirit and support lifted her large extended family of older relatives, as well as the families of her four siblings and Tollie’s nine siblings. From an early age, church life was a center of her focus and activities. Over the years she performed as the church pianist in several churches and encouraged the participation of her children in church and in expressing themselves through music. More importantly, she exemplified being a Christian. She worked full-time until she was 87, as a receptionist and bookkeeper, from the 1960s-90s in doctor’s offices and finally for Lucas Funeral Home in Grapevine, where she lived from 1978 until shortly before her passing. In her all-too-brief retirement years, she was a prolific crocheter, and dozens of friends and relatives were the beneficiaries. She was fun-loving and adventuresome, traveling often with her husband and later with her children to destinations ranging from throughout Texas and surrounding states – with a special love for New Mexico – to California and Nevada in the West, to New York City in the East. Humble, giving, outgoing, selfless, adventuresome, positive, fun-loving, and funny her entire, long life – even as her health declined in recent years, her enthusiasm for life and her undaunted spirit continued to inspire her loved ones. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75243.
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