Lela (Bartlett) Coons, 85, passed away peacefully at home in Warwick on June 25, 2019.
The daughter of Charles Owen Bartlett and Caroline Mabel James, she was born in Tridell, Utah. Lela spent her summers in the Uintah Mountains, where her father owned a sawmill. While growing up, Lela developed a knowledge about and reverence for nature that never left her. Lela earned a bachelor’s of arts degree from Brigham Young University in 1956, and married Dix Scott Coons later that year on June 4.
Dix and Lela moved to Warwick, R.I. in the summer of 1961, purchasing the home where they lived together until she passed.
She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and served in many of its organizations. She especially enjoyed those that serve children and young adults such as; Primary (Sunday School), Young Women’s, Seminary and Girls Camp. She was the director of the children’s program at the annual Hill Cumorah Pageant in Palmyra, NY, for 20 years. In the community, Lela was an active supporter of the PTA and served as Region I Vice President of the National PTA from 1989 till 1991. She also served as the Rhode Island PTA President for two years. Lela was one of the founders of the Coalition to Prevent Child Abuse and served as its chairman until 2014. “One of the smartest things I do is surround myself with people who make me look good, and I want to thank all of them. I have a family here and this is where I live,” Lela said while accepting the Eleanor Briggs Award from the Kent Center in 2006 in recognition for her work with the Coalition. She was also recognized by the Lewis Hine Awards as an American Hero for Outstanding Service to Youth in 2005 and with the Carol Pendergast Award from the Warwick Coalition to Prevent Child Abuse in 2014.
Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian praised her dedication at the award presentation, as reported in the Warwick Beacon. “Our children are not her job. But she made it her job…and ours as well. You can use the word tireless, advocate, visionary. I would rather refer to her as the person who kept all of our feet to the fire…pushing for change, advocating for kids, being Lela,” Avedisian said, according to the 2014 account.
She served on the Board of American Mothers for more than 10 years, and was also an active supporter of Volunteers Of Warwick Schools (VOWS) for many years. Lela loved to cook, bake and sew, and was accomplished in each of those endeavors. She created bags for family and friends dubbed “Lela bags”. Every child born in her congregation received a hand-made quilt from Lela. Her cinnamon rolls and oven pancakes were delicious and enjoyed by many.
Lela was mother to five children; Sara Scott of Medicine Bow, WY, Thaddeus Coons of Warwick, R.I., Jared Coons of Coventry, R.I., and Nathan Coons of Warwick, R.I. She was predeceased by her daughter, Catherine ‘Cata’ McKinnon, of Warwick, R.I. Lela was also grandmother to ten grandchildren. They included: David, Hannah and Andrew, children of Sara and Allen Scott; Lilly, daughter of Thaddeus and Lynn Coons; Christopher, son of Catherine McKinnon; Lauren, Alexis and Camryn, daughters of Jared and Lisa Coons; Evan and Elijah, sons of Nathan and ex-wife Lisa Cabral Coons. She is also survived by two great-grandchildren; Van Angus, son of Christopher McKinnon and Brandon, son of Lauren Coons. She is also survived by her siblings: Ona Patterson, Clyde Bartlett, Charles Bartlett and Floyd Bartlett, all of Utah. She was predeceased by her sisters: Elizabeth Gillard and Gwena Bartlett and her brother, Mark Bartlett, all of Utah.
Lela’s wake is Friday, June 28, 2019 at Barrett and Cotter Funeral Home, 1328 Warwick Ave., Warwick, R.I. Visiting hours are 4 – 7 p.m. The funeral service will be Saturday, June 29, 2019 at 10 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1000 Narragansett Parkway in Warwick, R.I., followed by a burial at Highland Park Cemetery.
Please omit flowers. Lela and her family would appreciate a donation of your time volunteering at a local charity serving children or women.
