Ileaine (DeWitt) Fisher

Ileaine DeWitt Fisher, age 83, of Palestine, departed this life to be in the loving arms of our Lord and Savior in the early morning of Tuesday, the 18th day of June, 2019.  She was born on the 4th day of November, 1935, in Dallas, Texas, to Ashley DeWitt and Dorothy Lee Saner DeWitt.

Mrs. Fisher had a great love for the arts and was an exceptionally talented piano player and piano teacher. She began her music career at the Southwestern Conservatory of Music, where she obtained a certificate in piano.  She was an esteemed Professional Certified Teacher of Music in Piano, a lifetime national and international member in the National Guild of Piano Teachers, and a beloved pianist at her places of worship in Houston and Palestine.  She greatly enjoyed performing beautiful music arrangements for various events. She continued to take music lessons for her entire life, and inspired her children and grandchildren to be lifelong learners.  She never missed one of her grandchildren or great grandchildren’s dance recitals, and was passionate about ensuring that the love of the arts endured for future generations.  

She is preceded in death by her parents, Ashley and Dorothy DeWitt; husbands, Harold Roy Bates and Ray Lewis Fisher, and stepsons Jeffrey and Brian Fisher.

Mrs. Fisher is survived by her daughters, Rose Royale Sumrall and husband Ben of Fort Meyers, Florida, Ileaine Cline and husband Mike of Palestine, Texas; son, Brian Bates of Ventura, California, stepdaughter Kathy Abraham and husband Satish of Austin, Texas, and stepson Kevin Fisher of Garland, Texas; eleven grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, and her beloved dog, Pepper.  

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Mrs. Fisher will be conducted at 2:00pm on Saturday, June 29 at First United Methodist Church in Palestine with Rev. Alex Lupo officiating.  An additional memorial service will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, July 13 at Memorial Drive Methodist Church in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in Ileaine Fisher’s name can be directed towards the DeuxVoix organization for the arts at www.deuxvoixmusic.com or World Missions and Evangelism, attn: Reverend Phil Tappert, PO Box 790, Benton, KY 42025. 

Memorial and cremation services for Ileaine DeWitt Fisher are in care of Rhone Funeral Home, 3900 S. State Highway 19, Palestine, Texas. 

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