Published: June 27, 2009 06:06 pm      

Willie Lee Coker

Willie Lee Coker passed away on Friday, June 26, 2009, at Heritage Oaks Retirement Village. She was born Willie Lee Brewer on July 28, 1916, to James Malford and Mattie Elizabeth Brewer in Hamilton County and was the eldest of 11 children. At age 19, she married Olen C. Coker in October 1935 and he preceded her in death on March 25, 1985, just seven months before they would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

Willie Lee and Olen made their home in Corsicana and raised four children. She was employed at Corsicana Cotton Mill and Haggar Slack Factory and received much enjoyment after retiring from Haggar Slack operating a children’s day care in her home.

She was an active member of Trinity Baptist Church for many years having taught Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, and sang in the choir and serving God and her church was her greatest joy. Her life was a testament to her love of God and her family. She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and would seldom miss an activity they were involved in or a family gathering.

Willie Lee’s family includes son James Coker and daughter-in-law Anita of Carrollton; daughter Elizabeth Bryant and son-in-law James of Waco; son B.J. Coker and daughter-in-law Ann of Corsicana; son Jim and daughter-in-law Camille of College Station; 14 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters Geneva and Bradley Speed of Corsicana and Angie Torrance of Arlington; brothers J.M. and Juanita Brewer of Corsicana, Jerral and Nancy Brewer of Quinlan, S.M. and Elsie Brewer of Arlington; and sister-in-law Edith Brewer of Corsicana. She will be missed by special friend Sue Shipley and her Trinity Baptist Church family.

Visitation will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, June 28, at Corley Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 28, at Corley Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Floyd Petersen officiating, special music by granddaughter Tammy Johnston, and eulogy by Marvin Reader, grandson-in-law. Interment will follow at Hamilton-Beeman Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons and grandsons-in-law Larry Acock, Jeff Coker, Kyle Coker, Chris Grey, Blair Halliwell, Jeff Kelly, Kenny Kolkhorst and Randy Schweyher.

The family wishes to thank the employees of Heritage Oaks Retirement Village and Dr. Kyle Hamilton for the excellent care given their mother.

Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Baptist Church or to her favorite charity: Presbyterian Children’s Home and Services Child and Family Program at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 312 N. 13th St., Corsicana, TX 75110.

An online guest book is available at wwwcorleyfuneralhome.com by selecting the Willie Lee Coker obituary.

Arrangements by Corley Funeral Home. ∞