Mada Dorothy Killen, 71, of Beaumont, died Wednesday, May 18, 2005 at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital.
She was born in Austin, Texas, the daughter of Andrew and Omega McAngus. She grew up in Austin and Houston. After her mother’s death at an early age, she lived with her grandparents and an aunt and uncle, Lilie and Joe Curtis, whom she loved very much. Mada married Jim Killen, a United Methodist Minister, who eventually served as pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church in Beaumont.
Mada and Jim had two children, James, and Bethlyn. In addition to her careers as mother and minister’s wife, she had a very fulfilling career as a public school teacher. After her children were in school she went back to college and graduated from Texas A&M University in 1969, part of that University’s first classes of elementary education majors. She taught in the Houston and Deer Park School Districts for twenty-one years.
Her twenty-one year career as a public school teacher was a source of great vocational fulfillment. During her later years, she struggled to move beyond serious illness to live a joyful and productive life. The witness of her faith and life has been an inspiration for many.
The family is grateful to Dr. Daniel Harmon, Dr. Timothy Colgan, the staff of Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital, and the ministers and members of Trinity United Methodist Church for their care during her illness.
Survivors include her husband, Dr. Jim Killen of Beaumont; son, James Killen and his wife, Barbara of Cypress; daughter, Bethlyn Eby and her husband J. Brian of Wichita Falls; sister, Marion Elizabeth Gibson of Oakland, California; grandchildren, Traci Cockrell and her husband Brian, Jared Austin, Jason Killen, Joshua Killen, Lindsey Graham, Emily Eby, Phillip Eby and Claire Eby; and one great granddaughter, Kristen Bittick.
A service celebrating Mada’s life will be 3:00 P.M. Saturday, May 21, 2005 at Trinity United Methodist Church followed by a gathering in the McKnight Parlor. A committal service will be 3:30 P. M. Sunday, May 22, 2005 at Lakeview Cemetery near Palestine under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. A visitation will be 5:30 P. M. until 7:00 P.M. Friday evening, May 20, 2005 at the mortuary.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 7410, Beaumont, Texas 77726 or United Methodist Commission On Relief, Room # 330, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, New York 10115.
