In memory and honor of Miss Erma,
Our mom, Erma June Defee, died on Sept. 20, 2024, in Colorado Springs. She was born on Jan. 25, 1942, in Woodville, Texas, to Morris Elmo and Sally Mae Miles.
She is survived by her husband Jim, her sons, Jason and Justin, her daughters-in-law Nichole and Kaitlin, her grandchildren, Audrey and Liam, and her cat, Petey. She also leaves behind three sisters, Alice, Karen, and Ernie Kay, and one brother, Homer, a brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Olga, multiple nieces and nephews, and hundreds of friends.
To say Miss Erma was a special lady would be quite the understatement. In her 82 years she was a teacher and a coach to many generations of students. From swimming to English, volleyball to track and field, and just about anything in between, she did all she could to help her pupils succeed.
She loved Micky Mantle and Frank Sinatra, but not as much as she loved Jim, her husband of 61 years.
She lived in the Piney Woods and on the Gulf Coast of Texas, the mountain valley of Colorado and multiple places in between. Her friends in Livingston, Houston, San Angelo, Alamosa, and literally all over the world will certainly miss her.
We all will remember her as a Yankees fan, an Appalachian Trail hiker, and a lover of all God’s creatures, especially cats and birds! She enjoyed watching college volleyball, basketball, and softball. She even tolerated football and Nascar. She loved decorating for all the seasons and holidays, Christmas in particular. She was an avid reader and kept us all up to date on her latest cat mystery books.
She was the definition of a kind and caring person. She was always there for all of us, all the time, if even just to correct our grammar. She was a strong Christian and prayed daily for family, friends, acquaintances, and even strangers.
We look forward to seeing her in heaven, because the world is a little less wonderful without her.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 19 at Living Water Bible Fellowship in Alamosa, Colo. In lieu of flowers or cards, please consider making a donation to your local animal shelter. Or better yet, just do something nice for someone. That’s what Mom always did.
Jason and Justin Defee
