Tanya Leigh-Ella Teafatiller

Tanya Leigh-Ella Teafatiller, 45, of DeSoto, Texas, passed away suddenly at her home. Born on May 20, 1979, in Dallas, Texas, Tanya was a lifelong resident of the DeSoto and Lancaster communities.

In 1989, at just ten years old, Tanya was involved in a devastating automobile accident that claimed the life of her father and left her in a coma for fourteen days. Over the next two years, she relearned how to walk, talk, and eat —overcoming unimaginable challenges with resilience far beyond her years. Her perseverance carried her forward, and she went on to graduate from Red Oak High School, a testament to her courage and unwavering spirit.

Growing up as the middle child between her older brother, Nathan, and younger brother, Justin, Tanya embraced her role with both sweetness and a bit of mischievous.

Throughout her life, Tanya worked in various customer service roles. About ten years ago, she married John Teafatiller, and they built their life together in DeSoto.   Tanya was raised Baptist and attended various churches over the years.

She was preceded in death by her father, Tex O’Brien Grimes, in 1989, and her mother, Vicki Nadine, in 2018.

She is survived by her husband, John Teafatiller of DeSoto, Texas; her son, Cody Jones; and her daughter, Kayla Jones. She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Nathan and Ashley Grimes of Midlothian, Texas; her brother, Justin Grimes of Mississippi; her nieces, Jazmine Grimes, Destiny Grimes, and Serenity Grimes; her aunts, Mae Hardy and Sandra Grimes; her uncle, Tommy Grimes; and her lifelong friend, Benjamin Smith.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.