Lillian Weaver Thomas Coker
With her loving family by her side, Lillian Weaver Thomas Coker, 88, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, December 19th, 2023. Born June 5th, 1935, in Athens, TN, she was the middle of three daughters to Horace and Neenah (Billingslea) Thomas.
Lillian graduated from McMinn County High School in 1953, and months after, she married Harold Coker on September 6th, 1953. Lill was a faithful and devoted wife of 61 years to her husband.
She actively served in many organizations, such as RID (Remove Intoxicated Drivers) and the National Highway Safety Council. She served on the Republican National Convention Platform Committee for many years to discourage abortions during the Bush era. She supported and helped serve with her husband Harold as he was a Hamilton County Commissioner for 20 years, as well as his US Congressional race in 1988. An antique automobile owner and enthusiast, Lill and her husband Harold attended many car shows and tours with the AACA (Antique Automobile Club of America) and the HCCA (Horseless Carriage Club of America) as well as hosted many of the gatherings in the barn on their property.
She was a past member of Brainerd United Methodist Church, and for the last 30 years, she was an active member at Woodland Park Baptist Church, attending Sunday school, Bible studies, and mission trips. Lill’s passion was always her Savior Jesus, and even in her 80s, she started a Bible study that met at her house called The Back Porch Bunch that met each Summer for many years.
Lill’s life was marked by her passion for Jesus by reading her Bible, teaching and encouraging others to know Him. She was the definition of a prayer warrior and even had a closet in her house designated as her prayer room lined with pictures of family, friends, and world events that she would pray for and over daily. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother (known to family as Grammie). She had a magnetic personality and always wore a smile on her face. Lill was a creative person, a gifted artist, a skilled gardener, and a wonderful hostess. She had a natural beauty, a servant’s heart, and was full of integrity.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Harold L. Coker, her two sisters, Mary Anne (Ed) Long and Neenah (Guy) Willingham, and two grandsons, Jason Thomas Coker and Cameron Andrew Coker.
She is survived by her children: Corky (Theresa) Coker, Christie (Jerry) Bowen, David (Kathy) Coker; her grandchildren: Casey (Jacob) Jarvis, Nathan Bowen, Lauren (Jonathan) Davis, Kelly (John) Jacobs, Rachel (Kody) Lyons, Katie (Stefan) Hanley, and Hillary Coker Gandy, and her nine great-grandchildren: Joseph Cunningham, Benjamin Cunningham, Harper Jacobs, Hadley Jacobs, Deklan Hanley, William Lyons, Thomas Coker, Violet Jarvis and Shay Hanley- All of whom she loved deeply.
The family will have a Celebration of Life service on Friday, December 29th, 2023, at 2 p.m. at Woodland Park Baptist Church, 6735 Standifer Gap Road. There will be a private graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Lill’s favorite charities: Family Action Council (1113 Murfreesboro Road, Suite 106-167, Franklin, TN 37064) or Bible in the Schools (200 W. Martin Luther King Blvd, Suite 300, Chattanooga, TN 37402).