Obituary of Lee Ella Obar

Lee Ella Duggan Obar, 87, entered the gates of heaven on April 9, 2019.  Funeral services will be at the First United Methodist Church in Troup at 2:00 PM on April 14th, 2019.  Burial will follow at Pinecrest Cemetery, Troup under the direction of Cottle Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Saturday, April 13, 2019, at the funeral home.

Lee Ella was born in Cherokee County, Texas to the late George T. and Mamie Duggan on January 26, 1932.  She was the oldest of six children.

Lee Ella married Claud Obar in Troup, Texas on June 5, 1948.  She was a resident of Troup for 67 years until she and Claud moved to Tyler to Prestige Estates Assisted Living.  Mrs. Obar spent many years working for Troup Hardware before embarking on a new career as the Troup ISD Cafeteria Supervisor, a job she was well suited for since she was known to be a very good cook and organized manager. 

After several years at Troup ISD, Lee Ella started, in her words, “working for free!”  She and Claud opened Claud’s Service Center in Troup where they worked together until Claud retired.  Never one to be still, she then went to work as the church secretary for the First United Methodist Church in Troup where she was a member since 1948.  After retirement from the church, Lee Ella worked part-time for Cottle Funeral Home.

Lee Ella could always be counted on to bring a dish or three to any event and to have a cold Dr. Pepper in the refrigerator to offer the many friends that passed through their back door on Oakwood Circle!  She and Claud chaperoned many band trips and enjoyed serving with the Troup ISD Band Booster Club.  They never missed any event their children participated in growing up.  Lee Ella enjoyed traveling with Claud and got to see most of the United States.  She also enjoyed talking on the phone!  She was a loyal friend and would check in every night with her dear friend, Jo Beth.  She was very proud of her family and liked to say, “I love them all”.

She is proceeded in death by her son, Gary Don Obar, sister, Betty Dement, brothers, Layton Duggan, Elton Duggan, Bobby Duggan and brother in law, Harvie Obar.

Mrs. Obar is survived by her loving husband of 71 years, Claud V. Obar, a son, Larry (Ruth) Obar, Flint, daughters, Suzanne (Bill) Arnold, Troup, Yvonne (Kent) Sturrock, Tyler and grandchildren, Tommy Obar, Ami McCaslin, Shawn Long, Shana Collins, Jennifer Stewart, Drew Sturrock, Scott Arnold, Trevor Sturrock, Hunter Arnold and 12 great-grandchildren with another one due to be born in July.  She is also survived by her brother Billy (Sue) Duggan, brother in law, Bobby Dement, sister in law Evelyn Obar and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Tommy Obar, Shawn Long, Drew Sturrock, Scott Arnold, Trevor Sturrock, and Hunter Arnold. 

Honorary pallbearers are the Fellowship Sunday School Class and the Prestige Estates family.

Special thanks to Prestige Estates Assisted Living and Hospice of East Texas for their loving and compassionate care.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the First United Methodist Church - Troup or Hospice of East Texas.

Online condolences are available at www.cottlefuneralhome.com.