Marsha Karen Villarreal

It is with hearts shattered in sorrow and eyes filled with tears, that the Villarreal family announces the passing of our beloved Mamaw, Marsha Karen Villarreal, who at the loving age of 77, was called home to walk the streets of gold, hand in hand, with the love of her life, cherished husband Fermin Villarreal. Mamaw passed away, peacefully, at home with her son, Joe, and her daughter-in-law’s family. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday, October 30, 2026 at 11 am at Griffin Mortuary Chapel. Interment will follow at Peaceful Gardens Memorial Park under the direction of Griffin Mortuary.

Marsha Karen Villarreal, known to most as Karen, and to family as Mamaw was born on December 19, 1948, to Adelle and Robert Lee Coleman in Dallas, Texas. She had one older brother, Ronnie Lee, and three younger sisters, Marilyn Diane Coleman, Debbie Sue Brock, and Lana Grace King.

Mamaw loved God, her family, and enjoyed reading her bible and Christian Mystery books. She was Salutatorian of Berean Christian High School but was always shy to talk about it as she was very nervous during her Salutatorian speech. Mamaw had two children, Justina Gayle Eliison, known by most as Dusty, and Phillip James Ellison with her first husband before meeting the love of her life, Fermin Villarreal. They had one son, Fermin Joe Villarreal, before getting married on March 28, 2000. Mamaw gained two stepdaughters, Jennifer and Misty, when she joined the Villarreal family, who provided her with many grandchildren.

Mamaw was an avid vanilla milk shake drinker and would constantly sing hymns around the house as she cleaned and played with Bao Marie, her fur-baby. She loved trying new chocolate candies that her daughter-in-law, Hope, would buy for them to try from different stores and countries. And she wouldn’t say no to a carrot cake, which she had every birthday.

Mamaw loved the Lord and would always minister to people when she had the chance. She was first to always pray for her family, friends, and what she saw happening in the world. No one left the house without hearing Mamaw tell them she loved them and to be safe. She will be missed. Always in our hearts.

She is preceded in death by her mother Adele Coleman, her father Robert Lee Coleman, her brother Ronnie Lee Coleman, her husband Fermin Villarreal, and her daughter Justina (Dusty) Gayle Ellison.

She is survived by her sons Phillip James Ellison and Fermin Joe Villarreal (Hope Marie), her sisters Marilyn Diane Coleman, Lana Grace King (Newell), and Debbie Sue Brock (Jerry), her granddaughters Sara, Brittany, Riley, and Jasmine, her grandsons Jasper, CJ, and Jacob, her great grandson Liam, her stepdaughters Jennifer Abalos (Joel) and Misty Gibson (Chris), her nephews Aaron (Katie), Derek (Kelly), and Harrison (Shelby), her niece Haleigh, and a host of other relatives and friends.