KENNEDALE -- Vera Murray Coker, 97, passed away peacefully at a Kennedale nursing home on Friday, April 3, 2015, following a short illness.
Funeral: 1 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Kennedale. Interment: Emerald Hills Memorial Park. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Emerald Hills Funeral Home.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made to First Baptist Church, Kennedale "IGNITE" building fund.
Vera was born in Fort Worth on Dec. 16, 1917, but was a proud, lifelong resident of Kennedale, living on the same road for over 90 years. After high school she married Marvin Coker and together they raised four children on their farm in Kennedale. "Being a volunteer" best describes how Vera chose to live her life. She was a longtime member of the PTA, a volunteer for the Senior Citizen center for 21 years, a member of the Kennedale Alumni Association, a charter member of the Kennedale Historical Society, a library associate, and for 40 years provided meals for first responders at Christmas and New Year's.
Vera was a great supporter of the Kennedale community and felt "if she couldn't find it in Kennedale, she didn't need it." She mentored several generations of children, teaching at First Baptist Church in Kennedale. At the age of 84, she retired from running 5K and 10K races, having accumulated over 250 trophies. Even with all of her accomplishments, Vera considered herself a "simple farmer from Kennedale."
Vera was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Coker; and her son, James.
Survivors: She is survived by her daughters, Carolyn Williamson and husband, Ken, and Judy Helms; son, Donald Coker; 13 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and many friends who will miss her deeply.