The daughter of Hilary and Eleanora Daniel Coomes, Elizabeth was born September 2, 1870, in Knottsville, Ky. During the school year 1896-1897, she attended Mount Saint Joseph Academy and, in July that summer, she entered the novitiate at Mount Saint Joseph. On October 9, 1897, Elizabeth received the Ursuline habit and the name Sister Mary Louis.
Sister Mary Louis’ apostolic work began at Mount Saint Joseph Academy where she taught the primary grades and prepared the little ones for their First Holy Communion. She was next assigned to St. Romuald School in Hardinsburg, Ky., where she remained 20 years teaching the first five grades and serving as the principal and superior. Sister Mary Louis was gifted with the needle and spent her spare time making beautifully embroidered linens for the altar.
In 1918, Sister Mary Louis left St. Romuald at the end of the school year. She became seriously ill within a short time and became bedridden. Death came to her on December 7, 1918. The following day, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, her remains were taken to St. Romuald Church for a wake service and Solemn High Requiem Mass. On December 10, the Solemn High Requiem Mass was celebrated at Mount Saint Joseph by Fathers Louis Spalding, chaplain, James Norman, and James Whelan. Sister Mary Louis was buried in the convent cemetery.