Freddie Jean Coby

Freddie Jean Douglas Coby was born to Frederick and Beatrice Douglas, On Sunday, December 14, 1924, in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Freddie received her early education in Muskogee Oklahoma and graduated from Manual Training High School. In her early years, Freddie attended BeeBe CME Church in Muskogee, where she loved being a part of the youth group. On December 23, 1943, she married Alvin Charles Coby and to this union 5 children were born.

Freddie often talked about her travels overseas with her husband, as a military family. They even took a 1-month tour which included Paris, Germany, Switzerland and Italy. In 1960, Freddie re-established her home in Kansas City, Mo. In 1966, she joined Allen Chapel AME Church, KCMO, where she was a member of the Stewardess Board, Adult Usher Board, Women’s Missionary Society and was the YPD Director.

Freddie held herself to a high standard when it came to her church and her work. She started her working career in Kansas City, at The Jones Store and in 1966, Freddie decided to apply at Hallmark Cards, where she spent the next 20 years. For a short time, Freddie worked in manufacturing before she took a job in Color Separation/Finishing. There she worked on projects for Disney, Strawberry Shortcake, Garfield and The Presidential Christmas Cards. Freddie also personally trained Don Hall Sr. and Don Hall Jr, and many Color Separationist.

No one should ever doubt Freddie’s cooking skills, which put her at chef's level. She would make grape, apple and peach jelly from fruit that came from her Father’s vineyard. Freddie would grow, freeze and can, greens, green beans, cha cha and apples, which would last all year for all to enjoy. One of her specialties was Mincemeat Pies and Fruitcake. Freddie’s fruitcake would take weeks to make, as she cured them with peach brandy. To this day, we wondered how she made her famous pastries and homemade dinners. There was nothing that Freddie made that was not the best! Family and friends would often sit in awe of how “a little bit of this,” with “it needs more of that,” always came together and never seemed to fall short. We always tried to make room for seconds and thirds.

With an adventurous spirit, Freddie loved bowling! Bowling allowed her the opportunity to travel all over the Continental US. Freddie was a National Member of the 300 Club, the 7/10 Split Club and had numerous badges and awards for local and WIBC League Championships. Her bowling tournaments allowed her to visit every state in the Continental US except for Alaska.

As a social advocate, Freddie served as the PTA President at J.J. Pershing Elementary School. She was also a member of the NAACP, The Black KC Association of Businesswomen, a member of the Citadel HOA and worked as a poll worker. Freddie also protested at 75th & Prospect at the Fairyland Amusement Park, against their policy that would only allow Blacks to go to the amusement park one day per year.

After retirement, her work was not done. Freddie started working part-time at Hartman Elementary school where the kids called her grandmother and ran to speak to her and receive that special hug, which made every child feel special and loved. We remember that one child even told her “I wish you were my grandmother”.

Freddie was an inspiration and loved everyone that she met, with her warm smile. She never met anyone that she would not call a friend.

She leaves a legacy of love intertwined in all that she did and in her family. On Friday, February 21, 2025, Freddie closed her eyes to her earthly home and opened her eyes to her forever heavenly home. Freddie was preceded in death by her parents Frederick and Beatrice Douglas, sister Doris Louise Douglas, brother Frederick Douglas, husband Alvin Charles Coby and son Kenneth Dale. To cherish her Memory, she leaves one son Alvin Gerald (Irma) Coby; daughters: Linda Faye Scott, Doris Jean Coby and Cynthia Ann (Arthur) Rucker. Grandchildren: Alan Dale, Kimberly Ann, Stephanie Lynn, Kevin Christopher, Wesley Alan, Brandon LeRon, Angelica Nicole, Arthur Lewis Jr. and Alexandria Louise, and a host of great and great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. We Loved her more, But God Loved her best!