Marcella Ella (Coates) Conley was born on September 18, 1935, in Kansas City, Kansas, to William Sylvanus and Hattie Belle (Graves) Coates. She was the youngest among their five children.

Marcella passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at the age of 90.

Raised in the Catholic faith, Marcella attended Sunday mass, often followed by a trip to the movies on Minnesota Avenue in the Argentine area. She attended Northeast Junior High School and later Sumner High School in Kansas City, Kansas.

In 1954, Marcella married Elsie D. Conley. Together, they raised five beloved children.

In 1970, Marcella began her career at St. Joseph Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, working as a dark room technician in the Radiology department. When the hospital relocated and reorganized, her position was phased out. Marcella then served as a secretary and transporter for the last seven years of her career before retiring in January 1997 with 26 years of dedicated service.

After retirement, Marcella moved with her daughter and son-in-law. She completed state training and became a daycare worker in her daughter's licensed daycare. Marcella accepted Christ into her heart and served as an usher at Victory Temple Church. She later joined Refreshing Waters Worship Center, actively participating in Women's Fellowship, Titus 2 Women, and several ministries of helps. Marcella was deeply involved in assisting her daughter, Minister Sue Watkins, with community outreach, children's ministry, holiday baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and outreach efforts to feed and minister to the homeless in Dallas, Texas.

In 2006, Marcella relocated to Plano, Texas, with her daughter and son-in-law. In 2012, she underwent additional training and became a respite worker for the Texas foster care system, providing respite services for four teenagers and two young children.

Marcella enjoyed watching westerns, listening to music, traveling, working on word puzzles, taking walks to the lake, and especially indulging in chili, popcorn, and snacks.

Marcella is preceded in death by her daughter, Betty Ann Conley.

Marcella leaves to cherish her memory; one son, Leonard Conley (Lisa) Lees' Summit, MO., three daughters, Marcella Banks (Calvin) Kansas City, MO, Linda Jemison Kansas City, MO, and Sue Watkins (David) Plano, TX. Marcella also leaves 21 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, 1great- great grandchild and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.