Tula Louene (Keller) DeBoard

Tula Louene (Keller) DeBoard was born on October 14, 1948 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.  She was the daughter of Harley & Lavada (Ervin) Keller.  Tula moved with her family from northeast Arkansas to St. Louis when she was 9 years old.  She grew up around St. Louis, East St. Louis and Granite City, IL graduating high school from East St. Louis, IL. 

Along with raising her family, Tula worked for the President of Boatmen’s Bank in St. Louis.  She took an early retirement from the bank and moved to Shell Knob, Missouri.  Tula was a gifted woman and enjoyed gardening, cooking delicious food and taking pictures.  She was also talented at sewing and would give many of her sewing projects away as gifts.  She loved time with her family and friends and caring for her dogs and cats.

Tula died at her home on Monday, October 26, 2020 at the age of 72 surrounded by her friends and family.  She will be deeply missed.

Tula was preceded in death by her parents and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

She is survived by her daughter, Michelle Koller (fiancée Charles Dawkins); son, Anthony McCallister; grandchildren, Brandon; Nevaeh, Malachi and Nicole; step-grandchildren, Kaysha, Anthony, Tristin, Charles, Shawn, Ricky and Austin; her sister Harlene (Keller) George, nephews Jason and Christopher; one niece, Crystal; step-daughters, Tammy, Tisha, Tina and Gloria as well as her great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Tula’s life will be Saturday, October 31 at 11:00 AM in Sardis General Baptist Church, Forsyth.

In lieu of flowers, monetary donations are requested to help with final expenses to P. O. Box 424, Forsyth, MO  65653, in care of Michelle Koller.

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