Francis (Jean) Loujean (Coats) Fitzgerald

Francis Loujean “Jean” Coats Fitzgerald, 86, of Eastland, TX, passed from this life on Monday, November 6, 2017. Throughout her lifetime, Jean made sure that everything she worked for was done with all her heart, and was done for the Lord. After graduating from Cisco High School, Jean moved to New Jersey where she met the love of her life, James “Jim” Fitzgerald. After Jim joined the United States Navy, the couple moved back to Cisco. There Jean raised four strong, Christian boys while helping her husband earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Abilene Christian College. In 1983, Jim and Jean accepted a position as dorm parents for the boys’ college dorm at Northeastern Christian Junior College. Here Jean, a.k.a. “Mrs. Fitz,” used her warm smile and spunky personality to teach countless young people what it means to work for the Lord and to serve Him wholeheartedly. Jim and Jean returned to Cisco in 1989 where Jean worked as an ISS teacher and continued her life’s work of selflessly caring for others. Jean also planned and coordinated several high school reunions for her class in Cisco and worked tirelessly to ensure the events were successful. In 2013, Jim and Jean moved to The Woodlands Assisted Living where Jean once again took up her role as caregiver, constantly looking out for other residents and staff alike. Throughout her life, Jean took on many roles, that of wife, mother, sister, “Mama Jean,” “Mrs. Fitz,” counselor, teacher, caregiver, friend. But none of these were more important than her role in Christ’s church. Jean was a faithful, lifelong member of the Church of Christ, serving as an elder’s wife for many years. 

Jean is preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, James “Jim” Fitzgerald, along with eleven of her brothers and sisters. Jean is survived by her brother, H.L. Coats. She is survived by her four sons, Jim Fitzgerald and his wife Piper (Roanoke, Va.), Tony Fitzgerald and his wife Sheila (Beaumont, Tx.), Tim Fitzgerald and his wife Amy (Pelzer, SC), and Kevin Price Fitzgerald and his wife Candee (Kountze, Tx.). She is survived by seven grandchildren: Tony Fitzgerald II and his wife Lauren, Matthew Fitzgerald and his wife Candice, Sabrina Price, Christopher Price, Maddison Fitzgerald, Jake Fitzgerald and Clayton Pickens. Jean is also survived by eight great-grandchildren: Skyla, JJ, Lydia, Sam, Trey, Riley, Chris and Emmett. 

We will all miss Jean's feisty sense of humor, warm and caring demeanor and welcoming smile every day. But we are thankful that she is finally at home and at peace with her husband and her Heavenly Father. We would like to say a special thank you to the Woodlands Assisted Living staff for the love and excellent care that they gave our mom. They always made us feel like family! We would also like to thank Kindred Hospice for their loving care of our family. We will never forget the wonderful care mom received from Jessica and Amanda.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 9, 2017, at the Kimbrough Funeral Home, 300 W 9th St, Cisco, TX 76437. Services will be held on Friday, November 10, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. also at Kimbrough Funeral Home. 

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