Obituary of Grace Elaine McLean

Grace McLean Grace Elaine Cooley McLean was born December 6, 1931 in Longville, Louisiana. She passed away on Friday, February 20, 2015 in Kingwood, Texas. Grace was a graduate of Longville High School, class of 1948. She attended Northwestern University where she earned her bachelor's degree in Home Economics. Later in life, Grace completed her Masters in Elementary Education from Nicholls State University. She loved helping others learn and began her career teaching home economics then later transitioned to teaching elementary school. After many happy years teaching at South Beauregard Elementary School, she retired with her husband Tom in Longville, Louisiana. Grace was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Grace married Thomas T. McLean Jr. in 1952 and enjoyed 62 years of marriage. In that time they made homes in Lake Charles, Louisiana; Orange, Texas; Denver, Colorado; Houma, Louisiana and returned to Longville, Louisiana where they both finished their careers and retired. In 2012 Grace and Tom moved to Kingwood, Texas where they could be near family. Along the way they raised three sons, Ben, Alan and Wesley. Outnumbered by the men in her life Grace camped, hiked, waterskied and enjoyed traveling with family. She loved painting, crafts, reading, music, and was devoted to her faith. While living in Longville, Grace was active in the Longville Baptist Church. She enjoyed visiting with friends and family and never met a stranger. Grace was the youngest of three children of Phillip and Viola Cooley. She was preceded in death by her parents, older brother Owen Cooley and daughter in-law Kathy McLean. She is survived by her husband Tom and her three sons: Ben McLean and wife Laura of Kingwood, TX; Alan McLean and wife Kelly of Kingwood, TX; Wesley McLean and wife Jan of Wilmington, NC; 4 grandchildren, 4 step grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and 9 step great grandchildren; one brother Alfred Cooley and wife Janice, 4 nephews, 2 nieces and their families. Grace was extremely proud of all her family and enjoyed pictures, stories and visits from them including her grandchildren; Ben's children and step children Elizabeth, Jeffry, Nathan, Aaron, David and Daniel; Alan's son, Austin; Wesley's daughter, Nikki and her great grand children and step grand children; Katherine Grace "Gracie", Thompson, Denver, River, Journey, Hazel, Canyon, Dean, Gabe, Clay, Kai and Marley.