Nell Coad

Edna Ruth “Nell” Coad, 89, of Cape Girardeau passed Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017. She died in the company of her loving family.

Nell was born May 28, 1928, in Cuba, Missouri, the daughter of Ed and Ruth Nelson. On Nov. 25, 1950, she married Joseph E. Coad in St. Louis. They were married for 56 years before his death in 2007.

In 1964, Joe and Nell moved to Ridgway, Illinois, with their three children when they purchased their first Chevrolet dealership. They then purchased the former Pearl Motor Co. in Anna, Illinois, in 1977. The family acquired the Chevrolet dealership in Cape Girardeau in 1979 and added the former Lawrence and Moore dealership in Perryville, Missouri, in 1985. In 1986, Brennecke Chevrolet in Jackson joined the Coad family of dealerships, and their last business venture was to acquire the Cape Girardeau Toyota dealership in 2005.

Nell was an avid golfer and enjoyed nothing more than playing nine holes with her husband and friends. She maintained lasting friendships with many through her memberships at the Cape Girardeau Country Club and Dalhousie Golf Club, where she was a founding member. She also enjoyed playing cards, attending Mass and doting on her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Nothing was more dear to her than her family.

Nell is survived by her two sons, Michael (Cathy) Coad of Jonesboro, Illinois, and Timothy (Jennifer) Coad of Cape Girardeau; and daughter, Christina (Rick) Kennard of Jackson. She also is survived by 10 grandchildren, Jennifer (Jason) Miller of Anna, Katy (Tim) Flynn of Chicago, Maggie (Andy) O’Guin of Waterloo, Illinois, Lori (Garrett) Smith of Charlotte, North Carolina, Ali (Adam) Berry of Manhattan, New York, Leah (Craig) Prost of Kennewick, Washington, Greg (Tara) Kennard of Cape Girardeau, Matt (Emily) Kennard of Jackson and Hogan and Hattie Coad of Cape Girardeau; and 13 great-grandchildren, Abby, Brooke and Hannah Miller of Anna, Connor and Bennett Kennard of Cape Girardeau, Aiden and Colby Prost of Kennewick, Ada, Lucy and John Flynn of Chicago, Armin and Jane O’Guin of Waterloo and Kinsley Kennard of Jackson. Nell also is survived by her sister, Catherine Nelson of Cape Girardeau.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

Friends may call from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Monday at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. at the church. Burial will follow at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorials be made to St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Notre Dame Regional High School or Chateau Girardeau Foundation.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau was in charge of arrangements.