She is predeceased by her mother, Virginia Lee (Bethany) Coker, and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins. Karen was born in Houston, TX at St. Luke’s hospital to William Manley Coker and Virginia Coker on October 29, 1962, and lived in Houston the majority of her life.
She is survived by her six loving brothers and sisters and their spouses: Sam Penn and wife Brenda, Ronald Coker and wife Leah, Gena Kone and husband Ed, Pamela Coker and fiancée Paul Garcia, Mark Coker and wife Sabra, Sharon Barclay Zirilli and husband Danny, and our special sister in love, Sonia Coker Minervine. Karen adored nieces and nephews; Matthew Coker and wife Lindsey Neuwirth, Elizabeth Harrell and husband Dominic, Alexandra Betanco and husband Bairon, Andrew Coker and wife Erica, Ryan Coker and Adam Coker, her great nieces and nephews; Kahlen, Katalina, Ellie, Neala, Ethan, Nisi, Elias, Declan, Marcus, and Victor. She is also survived by several cousins including David and Sandra Moore, and Edmund Michaelson and wife Corinne. Karen loved and adored her close friends who became family over the years, including Mark Meade, Richard Palmer, Kelly Voegele, Janis O’Donnell, Scottie Hardy, Mindy Laird, Mary Donnelly Jackson and Donella Newell.
Karen accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior at age ten and was faithful and devoted servant throughout her life, attending church at Lakewood and Faithbridge. We know Karen was joyously reunited with our Mother and other family members last week when she entered Heavens' gates! Karen’s kindness, sweetness, genuine care for others, strong sense of integrity, selflessness and devotion to family and friends was rare and she will be missed so much by all who were blessed to know her. Karen attended Garden Oaks Elementary School, Black Middle School and Scarborough High School in HISD and excelled in the VOE program, holding positions at now National Oilwell Varco and Shelter America during high school. She attended Texas State University (formerly Southwest Texas University) for a period but returned to Houston for a full-time opportunity and to attend the Art Institute. Karen worked at Junior Achievement for over twenty years, where she made many deep friendships she nurtured up until her passing. After graduating Cum Laude from University in Houston in 2008, Karen worked primarily in education with the Lone Star, U of H, and Houston Community College systems. Most recently, Karen was enjoying her dream job as an Academic Advisor at Lone Star College, guiding students on their education journey. Anyone who knows Karen can appreciate her strong work ethic, resourcefulness and genuine caring and helpful spirit! She was such a blessing to those who knew and worked with her!
Karen loved impressionist art, neoclassical architecture, ballet, figure skating, flowers (especially Gerbera daisies) and had a strong appreciation for all things of beauty, spending time at art museums and drawing with her huge collection of sketch pads, books, pens and colored pencils. She loved old movies, particularly Westerns and musicals. She leaves behind her precious and very spoiled grey cat “Bleu Boy”, whom she found as a kitten at Baylor during her treatments. Karen fought (and won!) her battle with breast cancer during 2019-2021 and was so grateful for the excellent care she received during her journey from the Baylor College of Medicine, including Dr. Kent Osborne, Dr. Shayan Isadoost, Dr. Elizabeth Bonefas and a host of others. I know she would also want to send a special thank you to Dr. Ann Hodges. Karen was so devoted to The Coker Family! She was the glue and present at every family event with a big smile and hug for all. Karen never missed a birthday, with a card, text or call and was so thoughtful in her selection of gifts for everyone at Christmas. Her unselfishness and care for others was demonstrated in her dedication to our mother, for whom she was the primary caregiver for several years up until her passing in 2006. We are delighted to know these two “peas in a pod” are together again in Heaven!
Services will be held at Brookside Funeral Home on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at 2:00 o’clock pm. Immediately following the service, we will hold a graveside service of interment, where Karen will be laid to rest near our mother and other family members. We will hold a visitation for friends and family at Brookside on Wednesday evening, May 15th at 6:00 o’clock pm with light refreshments served.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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