Ciona Jessa Coke

Ciona Jessa Coke was born on July 15, 2010, to Delace A. Coke and Nicole C. Coke, in Maryland. The oldest daughter, known as “Little-Big Sister;” she cherished kisses, bright sunny days, warm windy days, splashing in warm water, banging on her sister’s piano, and the sound of children singing and having fun. Her favorite music included “Slugs and Bugs,” music by the singer and songwriter, Joy Ike, the sound of mommy singing, and of course-Mother Goose Club.

Ciona, also known as CiCi, understood people’s emotions and felt joy and sorrow very strongly. When her younger sister was born, Ciona was a very happy big sister. She showed Alura how to do belly time, which they often did together; and when Alura cried, Ciona would faithfully join in.

Ciona Jessa was named by our Heavenly Father, and it showed. Her name means, “One who is steadfast in The Most High, who sees all.” By the age of two, Ciona had been diagnosed with microcephaly, epilepsy, spastic cerebral palsy, and a congenital heart defect. Years later, she would be diagnosed with scoliosis. Before the age of five, she underwent g-tube surgery, umbilical hernia surgery, and gastroc lengthening surgery. Despite various mobility challenges, and difficulty communicating her needs, she was known to always have a joyful smile on her face, unwavering perseverance, and a love for people. In fact, in June of 2018, she won “Tri-State Association: 17th Annual Love Child,” while attending the William S. Baer School. Ciona truly fought through every obstacle and finished her race without losing the joy and the love that God placed in her heart to share with the world around her.

In 2020, Ciona had the opportunity to transfer to homeschool, and she absolutely loved it! Sleeping in and waking up to see mommy and Alura was the best gift a girl could get. At home she had learning time, physical therapy, rolling and scooting time, and she was able to work on skills at her own unique pace. Once a week she attended the Traditional Learning Center in Catonsville, Maryland, where she be-bopped to her music while watching the other children play sports, cook meals, plant flowers, and make music. She even got to paint her own flower pot this year. She was loved by all the moms who gave her hugs and kisses, high fives, and warm smiles.

During the day, Ciona could be found in the community wherever her mom and sister went, including playgrounds, the poolside, Dr. Barber’s, hiking, coffee shops, or the library. Her homeschool field trips included the Science Center, the Baltimore Aquarium, roller skating with her own wheels, apple picking, the nature center, the zoo, and providing meals and supplies to those less fortunate. On the weekend, she enjoyed family biking adventures with her Wike bike trailer and Assembly services. She lovingly accommodated her family’s late night fellowship with friends.

In 2025, Ciona began using a Tobii Dynavox eye-gaze device to communicate. It became common in the Coke household to hear Ciona call out, “Brainy Baby, watch,” or “I want to go to bed,” or “turn fan off, turn fan on,” or “bubbles, go!” Her favorite game to play was “sad, happy” which required mommy to give her a multitude of kisses and raspberries, to make her giggly and happy again. Her favorite game to play with daddy was “kisses” which required him to drop everything and give her kisses; each time she would wait until he sat down again to call out, “kisses.”

Ciona leaves to cherish her memory and legacy: her father, Delace Coke; her mother, Nicole Coke; her sister, Alura Coke; her grandparents, Bill and Kathleen Hogarth, and Linda Coke; her great grandmothers, Berzil Daley and Bernice Brown; her uncle, Devoe Coke; her aunts, Julie Hogarth, Kimesha Coke, and Kia Coke; her 1st cousins, Rachel Christianson, Andrew Hogarth, Diana Prince, Eli Coke, and Noah Coke; and many more relatives, friends, from church and school.

Thank you all for the outpouring of love and support to our family! Over the past 16 years, it has been such a heartwarming blessing to see Ciona acknowledged, taken into consideration, and loved by so many. Ciona's legacy will undoubtedly last long beyond any of our ability to quantify. Ciona ran her race so well; she was so faithful with the calling upon her life and through her - the Most High taught so much to so many! Even to the very end Ciona was full of God’s joy, strength and love. Ciona is an undeniable testimony to the faithfulness of YAHUAH Most High. She fought so many battles throughout her life, overcame so many obstacles, won so many victories, and on her last day: she came home triumphantly from the hospital, got to cherish family time in pure joy at home. By our Heavenly Father’s grace and truth we stand believing that Ciona is now 100% at total peace. Ciona is at rest, fully under the unhindered covering of our Heavenly Father.

We look forward to seeing our “Kissy Lovey Huggy Bug” and her life-changing smile again at the resurrection!

HalleluYah! HalleluYah! HalleluYah!

Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the Schimunek Funeral Home, of Bel Air Inc., 610 W. MacPhail Rd, Bel Air, MD 21014, on Sunday, October 4, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Funeral service will be on Monday, October 5, 2026, at the Mountain Christian Church (Cook Auditorium), 1802 Mountain Road, Joppa, MD 21085 at 12:00 PM. Interment will follow at the Mountain Christian Cemetery.