Oretha Ellen McCord , 77, of Hallettsville, passed away March 8, 2011. She was born on December 3, 1933 to James T. & Louise Matula Koonce Sr. in Ezzell, Texas. She graduated from Sacred Heart School in 1952 and then in 1954 graduated from the nursing school at Huth Memorial Hospital in Yoakum, Texas. She was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Sweet Home VFW Lady's Auxiliary and Ezzell Prayer Group.

Oretha was a gentle soul with a caring heart. It showed when she went to work as an LVN. The amount of love for her job was evident in the way she cared for her patients. She got upset as time went by and nurses had to do more and more charting and less care for patients.

Oretha was diagnosed with an enlarged heart in 1990 then later with congestive heart failure. Her strong faith in God pulled her through many hard times especially the loss of her son. Her grace and elegance shown through once again. She later then suffered a heart attack in 2002 and was life-flighted to Houston. She fell into a coma and Doctors told us that she probably would not survive. We decided (her children) not to take her off the breathing machine. Our decision was validated as she woke up from her comma and began to squeeze our hands. "Well of course she came out with flying colors, anyone who knows our family knows we went through many, many, many, many…. Times where we almost lost her." However, the Doctors did not know who they were dealing with!!! Her strength and faith shown through every time.

Dominoes was something we played together, she loved playing with her mother, kids and grandkids. She also loved to color and draw. Oretha loved the beach. Her memories of Indianola with her family were some of her most precious ones. She loved listening to the waves crashing on the shore. Dancing was a great joy of hers, if she heard a polka or waltz she would grab one of us and dance around the house. She loved family reunions and frying chicken for her family. Easter was a fun time, watching her grandkids make their nests and hunt Easter eggs. The deer, birds and many other animals gave her great joy to watch through her dining room window. She especially loved her dogs, Chiquita and Ginger along with her cat Samantha.

Although she carried a lot on her shoulders we depended on her strength and she delivered every time!

Oretha is survived by: 3-Sons, Larry McCord of Katy, Texas, Zane McCord of Hallettsville, Dwight McCord & wife Jane of Hallettsville; 2-Daughters, Sharon Leopold & husband Charlie of Hallettsville and Leean Rother & husband Donald of Hallettsville; 11 Grandchildren, Krystal McCord, Cory McCord, Amanda Tesch, Brandon McCord, Brian McCord, Clayton Leopold, Garret Leopold, Dillon McCord, Trevor McCord, Kayla Rother, and Elise Rother; 4 Great-Grandchildren; 1-brother Jeffery Koonce; 2-sisters, Patricia Schlageter & Anita Jenkins; and friend Vivian McCord.

Oretha was preceded in death by: her son Kenneth Ward McCord; her parents; and 4 brothers James, Tommy, Jasper, and John Koonce.

Funeral Mass Service: 10 am, Saturday, March 12, 2011, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church of Koerth, Texas. Visitation: 2 pm, Friday, at Kubena Funeral Home. Rosary: 7 pm, Friday, at Kubena Funeral Home Officiate: Rev. Charles Sonnier. Pallbearers (Grandchildren): Krystal McCord, Cory McCord, Amanda Tesch, Brandon McCord, Brian McCord, Clayton Leopold, Garret Leopold, Dillon McCord, Trevor McCord, Kayla Rother, and Elise Rother. Burial: Koerth Cemetery. Memorials: Donor's Choice

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