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Karen Denise Coker
Carrollton &
Farmers Branch
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1988 The
Iliad
Newman Smith High School
Carrollton, Dallas County, Texas
Senior Class |
OBITUARY
 Coker,
Karen D.
January 5, 1970 - December 11, 2013
Karen Denise Coker, 43 of Carrollton, TX was welcomed into eternal life
with Jesus Christ on Wednesday, December 11, 2013 in Carrollton, TX
after enduring many years without complaint from the difficulties of
pulmonary sarcoidosis. She was born at Baylor Hospital in Dallas on a
cold snowy night, January 5, 1970 to the joy of Patsy and Johnny Coker.
Among Karen’s many gifts was that of nurturer. She humbly cared for
countless children throughout her high school and college years. She
received so much joy in witnessing many of these young people grow into
adults and start their own families. She received her greatest joy from
helping her siblings, Angela Sluder and John Coker, raise her nieces and
nephews. It was common to find Karen building legos, playing board games
and learning how to play Wii as she embraced her role as “favorite
aunt”. As her nieces and nephews grew Karen could always be counted on
as a safe place for them to seek a warm embrace and gentle wisdom.
In Karen’s younger years her heart’s desire was to be a cheerleader.
Little did she know that her greatest cheering years would come in her
30’s and 40’s as she became the ultimate cheerleader for her niece and
nephews attending countless band concerts, football, baseball, softball
and basketball games. As one friend described her “she was always a
sweet addition to the fans”.
Karen loved growing up and living in Carrollton often reminding her
family the importance of our Carrollton roots. She graduated from Newman
Smith High School in 1988. She was a member of the Troyanns where she
made numerous lifelong friendships. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from
Texas Women’s University in 1993 with a Bachelor’s of Science.
Karen’s vocation in life was caring for her family especially her mother
after her father’s passing in 1997. Karen and Patsy shared a beautiful
relationship that was far more than the traditional mother/daughter
relationship. They were best friends, sisters, shopping partners, travel
buddies and chatterboxes; they truly were companions in life. Karen &
Patsy together were welcomed in to the catholic faith at Easter vigil in
2007 and she regularly attended Mass at Mary Immaculate Church.
Karen cherished her relationship with her older brother, John. Although
there were separated by seven years in age they drew close to one
another as they experienced the joys and challenges of life including
the loss of their dad and sister, additions of new family members,
health and financial fluctuations. Karen always offered a stable
presence in her brother’s life.
Karen is survived by her mother, Patsy Coker of Carrollton; brother and
sister-in-law John & Michelle Coker and her nephews, Nathan, David, Sean
and niece, Caroline Coker all of Lewisville. Nephew, Christian Coker of
San Antonio; nieces, Nichole & Marion Sluder of San Antonio;
great-nieces Grace and Peyton; and dear friend Emily Reid Thune of
Keller.
Karen is preceded in death by her father, Johnny Coker Jr of Carrollton
and sister, Angela Sluder of San Antonio.
The family will receive visitors Saturday, December 14, 2013 4 PM – 6PM
at North Dallas Funeral home 2710 Valley View Lane, Farmers
BranchTX75234 with a praying of the Rosary at 5:00 PM.
Mass of Christian burial will be held at 12:00 noon Monday, December 16,
2013 at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church 2800 Valwood Parkway Farmers
Branch officiated by Father Bruce Bradley. Interment immediately
following the Mass at
Hilltop Cemetery in Carrollton.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to
Foundation for Sacroidosis Research 1820 West Webster Avenue Suite 304,
Chicago, IL 60614 312-341-0500. |
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