Carol McWhorter Coker

Carol Lee McWhorter Coker passed from this world on Monday, February 26, 2024 at 10:56 am to the sounds of some of her favorite music and family by her side. She was 74 years old. She was born to Hollis Waymond McWhorter and Bertie Wynnell (Allgood) McWhorter on September 15, 1949 in Brownwood, TX. Carol lived most of the past 50 years in the San Antonio area and in Cibolo, TX since December of 1999. Her Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at 2:00 pm at Alamo City Church of Christ, the Christian Student Center of San Antonio College - 301 W. Dewey Pl, San Antonio, TX, 78212.

As a child, she played hard and worked harder. Her mother was always cautious to empty her pockets after a day of play as she would often find rocks, sticks, and even bugs and small animals. She was “one of the boys” amongst her cousins. When she was five, she became a big sister for the first time. She finally got the sibling she had begged for, a sister. Over the next 13 years, she would become a big sister four more times to four brothers.

She met John Coker in middle school and through the years, they became the best of friends. During their college years, John asked her to go for a Coca Cola and they would be married on August 14, 1971. Carol graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Psychology just a year later and worked in social work for a time. After welcoming their firstborn, Brian Hal, in August of 1975 in Three Rivers, TX, they moved to San Antonio, TX. They welcomed their second child, a daughter named Melodie Ann in January of 1978. In June of 1978, John and Carol decided to open Progressive Marketing. They loved working together, and later renamed the business Texas Tape Sales, then in 2005 Texas Precision Digital, A.V. They worked together recording music, and later creating videos that allowed them to be with their children and grandchildren for the next 45 years. They would go on to have two more children in San Antonio: Mary Amelia (Amy) in February of 1981 and Melissa Amanda in June of 1984.

In 2000, Carol decided it was time to return to school and received a Specialist degree as a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology in December 2003. She worked in districts between San Antonio and Austin for the next 19 years, retiring from Judson ISD in 2018 and then worked contract work in other districts until 2022.

Carol is survived by her husband John, her son Brian Hal Coker (spouse - Sharon), her three daughters Melodie Ristau-Sontag (spouse - Stephen), Amy Soto (spouse - Roman), and Melissa Thornton (spouse - Cody). Ten grandchildren also survive: Ethan Ristau, Zowie Ristau, Anna Coker, Jaimee Bolwerk, Alfred Coker, William Bolwerk, Asher Sontag, Chandler Vickrey, John Vickrey, and Jasmine Coker. She is also survived by one Uncle Jimmie Dale Allgood, two brothers Jim Bob McWhorter (spouse - Nancy) and Charles Allen McWhorter (spouse - Laurie), one sister Holly Hay (spouse - Melvin), and 16 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Joe Hollis McWhorter, brother Steve Waymond McWhorter, mother-in-law Mary Rodella Coker, Aunt Evelyn Allgood, Uncle Carol Allgood and Aunt Billie Floral Allgood Scogin.

Throughout her life, Carol was an avid reader and talented crocheter. She crocheted many baby clothes items, dresses, blankets, doll outfits, and more. Her faith drove her passion for her family and friends. She would light up with music of all kinds and give you a side-eye when she knew you were up to mischief. She played flute throughout junior high, high school, college, and into her adult years. She loved singing and nurtured her children to sing 4-part harmony regularly together. She loved old western movies and musicals, of course.

Faith in God was a prominent part of Carol’s life. At 6 years old, she began attending a Southern Baptist church by herself where she dedicated her life to a faith that spanned her lifetime. When she and John started dating, he introduced her to the Church of Christ, and she would find home within the congregations they attended. Carol led in her church communities alongside her husband, John, as he was installed as a deacon and later an elder through the congregations that they called home. Carol loved God and loved to learn. She cherished children, especially helping those with learning difficulties and disabilities, and working with their families to navigate their worlds.

Her Celebration of Life will be followed by a short reception with the family. Memorial donations may be made to https://carolcokermemorialdonations.cheddarup.com.