Carol Ruth Coughran

Carol Ruth Matthews Coughran was born in Detroit, Michigan to Donald and Erma Matthews on February 16, 1934 and died peacefully on May 9, 2012 at her home in Plano, Texas. If you're reading this, then you were one of my mom's closest friends or a family member and as her children, we sincerely thank you for navigating your way to this site.

Mom was a devoted, supportive wife to our father for 55 years. Dad shared how she supported him in everything he ever did whether it was going to night school, moving to a new location, or moving along the corporate ladder. Together with Dad, she had adventures all over the world exploring places such as Europe, Indonesia, Bali, and Thailand. One of their greatest adventures took place in Bali, the home of the "Snake Caves". The caves were along the coast in Bali. As they approached the cave, squiggly trails were visible. Once upon the cave, Mom realized the source of the squiggly lines were snakes, their eyes glowing inside the dark cave. That still makes all of our toes curl when we hear about it.

Many of you know our mom from her profession as a nurse. Mom loved nursing and was often requested by her patients because of her outstanding care. As kids, each of us were recipients of her 'tender loving care'. All of us share the classic memory of having a stomachache or the flu. Mom would bundle us up on the couch, or if we were really sick, in our bed. She would prompt us every 5 minutes or so to take a drink of flat 7 UP she had poured for us. "Take a drink." "But Mom, I'm not thirsty." "Take a drink anyway." This would go on for what seemed like hours. Then, we would 'graduate' to saltine crackers and if our stomachache was improving, we MIGHT get upgraded to chicken noodle soup. BUT, under NO condition did we get to return to school until we had been fever free for 24 hoursNeedless to say, we didn't stay home sick from school very often.

These are just a few of the memories we have and welcome you to share yours in a post on this website. Carol is survived by her husband Herbert Coughran, her children, Valarie (Coughran) Dennis, Claudia Coughran, and Ken Coughran, 6 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. We are all thankful that she is at peace.

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 9:30 AM at the Dallas / Ft Worth National Cemetery 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway Dallas, Texas 75211 with Pastor Robert Matthews officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the March of Dimes as she was a polio survivor. http://www.marchofdimes.com/giving/giving.html
or call 713-623-2020.