Leota Anita Coker

Leota Coker passed away Sunday, August 25, 2013 at the age of 90, of natural causes at Community Memorial Hospital. Leota was preceded in death by her husband, Charles “Chuck” Coker, her loving companion in her latter years, Virgil Bryant, and by her daughter, Charlene Smith. Leota is survived by her children, William Coker, Beverly Inloes, Robert Coker, and George Daniel Coker.

Leota was born September 9, 1922, at home in Connerville, Oklahoma to George and Pearl Teafatiller. In 1942, at the age of 19, Chuck Coker who had migrated to San Diego, California from nearby Tishimingo, Oklahoma, returned to Connerville and asked Leota’s father for her hand in marriage. They were married in Yuma, Arizona on their way to resettle in the San Diego area joining the rest of the Coker Family. They began a construction business and a family--five children later and another move to the Ventura County brought them to where they spent the rest of their lives.

Leota ably supported her household and found her passion in being a seamstress for over 50 years in her home office where she created everything from custom dresses to wedding party gowns, and cheerleading uniforms. When her husband, Chuck, passed away, she began ballroom dancing in several dance clubs and met her companion of several years, Virgil Bryant. She was a very creative woman of strong willpower and determination who wouldn’t think of stepping outside her home without lipstick and her beloved high heels.

Visitation hours for immediate family and invited guests will be held from 5pm to 7pm, Thursday evening, August 29th, at Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura, followed by a short service. Interment will be held at 10am Friday, August 30th, Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, next to her beloved husband, Chuck in their shared crypt.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to her favorite charity for Battered Women, http://www.joyfulheartfoundation.org.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home.