Ethelene Coakley

Ethelene Sagraves Coakley, age 94, passed into the arms of Jesus on Friday May 22, 2026 at her son’s home in Walhonding Ohio. She was born on June 26, 1931 in Columbus Ohio to Samuel Everett Sagraves and Ethel Sagraves Hicks.

After graduating from Hilliard High School in 1948, she devoted many years to secretarial work. She married her treasured husband James Coakley Sr in May of 1955. She held positions with Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Franklin Life Insurance Company. In between she worked as a secretary at Crestview Elementary and Junior High, where she enjoyed helping students, staff and families each day.

Among her many interests, she enjoyed volunteering with the Riverside Hospital Sewing Guild, continuing its tradition of service that began in 1924.

She was a long time member of the Columbus Baptist Temple. She also opened her home and heart to others through the Ladies Bible Study she had on Butternut Court for many years.

She was gifted with many creative talents and especially enjoyed making intricate eggs for her Easter egg tree, decorating cakes (including special doll cakes for birthdays), hand quilting (which includes over 100 quilts), and tending to her flower gardens.

She will always be remembered for her love of butterflies. She was gifted many butterfly trinkets over the years.

Ethelene loved to sing and her favorite phrase was “There’s a song about that”.

She was preceded in death by parents Samuel Everett Sagraves and Ethel Sagraves Hicks, her beloved brother Everett Glenn Sagraves, her loving husband James Coakley Sr, and her grandson Scottie Ansley. Survived by her children Renee (Rodney) Shaw, Connie (Scott) Ansley, Deborah (Lynn) Thompson, and James (Karen) Coakley Jr.; 8 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday May 29, 2026 at Schoedinger Worthington, 6699 N High Street, Worthington, Ohio 43085. The funeral service will take place on Saturday May 30, 2026 at 10:00 am at the same location with Pastor Paul Gabriel officiating. Interment to follow at Wesley Chapel Cemetery. Following the committal service, all are welcome to join the family for a luncheon and time of remembrance at Schoedinger Worthington.

Friends who wish may contribute to LifeCare Hospice Wooster by going to https://www.ohioshospice.org/give/#donatetoday.