Sam Wallace Coker

Sam Wallace Coker, 79, of Rainbow City, went to meet his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 after a brief illness. Wallace was a 1953 graduate of Southside High School, and has always loved and supported his school. After college at Emory & Henry, VA he returned to teach at Southside for several years. Wallace was inducted into the Southside Wall of Fame for his contributions to Southside High School. After he received his Master’s degree at Ole Miss in 1966, he began a very successful career as a teacher of math, physics, and chemistry at Gadsden State Community College. His career as an educator spanned more than 40 years. He had a reputation for being hard, but fair, and many of his former students have thanked him for giving them such a good foundation. Wallace was an active member of Riverbend Baptist Church, serving as Treasurer for many years. He loved boating, fishing, Alabama Football, Braves Baseball, and spending time with his grandkids.

Wallace is survived by his wife of fifty years, Sharon Fincher Coker; sons, Wally (Patty) Coker, Trussville, Jon (Michelle) Coker, Tuscaloosa; grandchildren, Beth, Breanna, Anna, Gene, Julie, and Abbie Coker; grandson-in-love, Gage O’Bryant; his furry babies, Gracie, Boomer, and Buster; Siblings, Travis (Sue) Coker, Bobby (Patsy) Coker, Georgia Oates, Mary (Bill) Noah, Kenneth (Judy) Coker, Pauline (Ken) Lee, Jo Ann Gray, Richard Coker, Larry (Peggy) Coker; sister-in-law, Zoe Benefield; brother-in-law, C.B. (Ouida) Fincher; many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews; and his chosen brother, Larry Fuhrman.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Cammie Coker; two brothers; four sisters; and grandson, James Patrick Coker.

Pallbearers will be Gage O’Bryant, and nephews.

A celebration of his life will be Saturday July 12, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Riverbend Baptist Church, with Ministers Herb Murray, Clyde Coker, Gary Walker, and Larry Fuhrman officiating. Visitation will be Friday from 5:00-7:00 at Collier-Butler Funeral Home, and Saturday from 1:00-2:00 p.m. at the church, with burial at Williams-Southside Memorial Park. Collier-Butler Funeral and Cremation Services is directing.

Memorials to Riverbend Baptist Church, The Gideon Card Program, or Southern Baptist Disaster Relief are preferred.

Special thanks to our Riverbend Church family, neighbors on Lake Vista, and our many friends who have shown us such love and concern.

“To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” We know that one day our family will be reunited in Heaven for all of eternity.

Online condolences may be made at www.collier-butler.com.