Dorothy Darden Coker

Dorothy Darden Coker, age 90, of San Antonio, passed away Thursday, May 27, 2004. One of the descendants of the settlers of McLennan County, Dorothy was born to Beatrice Cowan and Simeon Isler Darden on April 15, 1914, of Lott, Texas.

At a young age her family moved to Waco, where she attended and graduated from the Waco Public Schools. She later attended Texas Tech where she was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She graduated from Baylor University in 1936.

She married Thomas Jefferson Coker of Bartlett, Texas in 1937.

Then in 1942, her husband was called to duty in World War II, which sent them to live in various places in the United States including Monroe, North Carolina and Washington D.C. During that time Dorothy served as a war volunteer.

Dorothy returned to Waco to be a school teacher while her husband was sent to active duty overseas for three years.

After the war Mr. Coker resumed a career with Texaco The Texas Company and the couple was transferred frequently around the United States.

Mrs. Coker remained active in the Presbyterian Women of the Church, Magna Charta Dames, Daughters of the American Colonists, Daughters of the American Revolution and Daughters of the Confederacy.

In 1987, the Cokers moved to San Antonio to be near their daughter and her family, where they resumed their membership in the First Presbyterian Church of San Antonio.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Jefferson Coker, her parents Mr. and Mrs. S.I. Darden, brother and wife Mr. and Mrs. S.I. Darden and sister Beatrice Cowan Darden. She is survived by her daughter Jane Coker Buchek and husband John Wallace Buchek, grandson Tres Buchek and wife Mills all of San Antonio, and her granddaughter Laura Buchek Page and husband Clay Page of Houston. Her friend and caregiver Maria Mercado of San Antonio also survives her.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 1100 Austin Avenue, Waco, Texas, 76701, the First Presbyterian Church, 404 North Alamo, San Antonio, Texas, 78205 or VNA Hospice of San Antonio, 8721 Botts, San Antonio, Texas, 78217.