The Tacoma News Tribune,
Coralie Ann Ames
On Thursday, February 11th, the world lost a significant amount of beauty, compassion, and class. Coralie Ann Brassfield Ames left us. She was preceded in death, by her parents Twila Avonne Brassfield, and Morgan Emslie Brassfield. She was also preceded by Stephen Brassfield, Amy Brassfield, and Andrew Fishbaugh. She is survived by her husband, Houston Ames of Tucson AZ, and her son Robert Johnson III, of Seattle WA., Houston's children Anthony Ames of Tacoma WA, and Jennifer Ames, of Sandy UT. She is also survived by her brothers Morgan Jr. and Kay Brassfield, children; Morgan Brassfield III, and Melissa Brassfield of Shoreline WA, John and Sue Brassfield, and children; John Jr., Jeffrey, Todd, and Heather of Newcastle CA, her sister Alice Blankenship, Alice's daughters Rebecca, and Julie, and Rebecca’s husband Mike of Graham.WA. Also, her cousin Lynn Brown of Olympia, sons Matthew and Mark, as well as cousin Twila and her husband Dave Asselstine of Hartstene Island, and Twila's children, William and Molly, of Olympia. She is also survived by Marjorie Fishbaugh, children; Michael, and Jeremy of Tacoma WA, Sheralee Sexton, and daughters Angela, and Joelene of Tacoma WA, Dewey and Denise Boynton and children Matthew, Adam and Stephen of Yakima WA, Mickey and Vickey Boynton of Carbona do WA, and numerous nieces, and nephews, not to mention 3 cats; Heathcliff, Hemingway, and Dolly. They will all miss her very much. Born in Tacoma, November 2, 1940 to Morgan Emslie Brassfield, and Twilla Avonne Brassfield, she grew up in East Olympia, where she would spend her childhood with her siblings, Morgan Jr., John, Alice and late edition to the household, cousin Lynn, Coralie graduated from Olympia High School in 1958, with honors. She graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1962, from the University of Washington, with a teaching degree and a minor in French. She taught at Franklin Pierce High School, for 28 years. She married Robert Marshall "Ray" Johnson II in April, 1965. They had one child (plenty, she would regularly profess), Robert Marshall Johnson III, on October 17th, 1970. In June 1985, she married Houston Eldon Ames, her loving husband for the rest of her 25 years. She retired from teaching in June of 1993, with some of her greatest contributions yet to come. Certainly some of her most important. She and Houston moved to Tucson in January of 2000. In 2003, her love for animals would lead her to co-found Spay and Neuter Solutions, with Katie Powers, providing low/no cost services to cats and dogs. In the next 8 years, the organization would spay or neuter some 5,500 animals and raise more than $240,000 for animal welfare. The impact she had on the lives of human beings and animals alike is impossible to quantify in so many words and so much space. So we won't even try. April 10, at 3PM, there will be a celebration of her life at South Sound Manor, 455 North Street SE, Tumwater, WA. A chance for family, friends, former students and all of those she touched throughout her glorious life to say thank you. Donations by check to "Spay and Neuter Solutions" will be accepted on her behalf, and proceeds given to Katie Powers, to continue the incredible work of the foundation.
Pub Date: 2/28/2010
