Mary Elizabeth Coker

Born August 21, 1931 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Daughter of Paul and Anna (Borchers) Deibel.

Married Terry Don Coker, February 1953 in Oklahoma City. She is survived by sons Robert (Dianne) Coker, Michael (Rissa) Coker, daughters Beth Coker (partner Rick McClung), and Cathy McDonald. Granddaughters Sarah (Eric) Hudson, Maddy Elizabeth McDonald. Great grandchildren Eden and Max Hudson. Nieces Paula (Joel) Peterson, Patricia Beavers, Rhoda Coker. Nephews Dearl (Maria) Ruth, Clayton (Connie) Ruth, Dan Lorett, Ted (Kim) Lorett, Randy (Sherry) Coker. Great Aunt of many great nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by her parents, husband Terry Don Coker, siblings Paul William Deibel and Anna Pauline (Polly) Deibel.

Mary met Terry while in nursing school at St Anthony school of nursing in Oklahoma City and they were wed soon after she graduated as a registered nurse. They started their family soon thereafter in Oklahoma City. Terry worked in the oil and gas industry which necessitated relocating to various areas of Oklahoma during the early years of their marriage. Mary was a homemaker during this time caring for their children and maintaining the household. They eventually moved back to Oklahoma City where they worked and raised their children for many years. Mary was a passionate, caring nurse and after the children started school, she worked in various hospitals as an OB/GYN nurse for several years. She served as Director of Nursing at Midwest City Memorial hospital from 1965 to 1982. She and Terry then moved to a ranch near Calvin, Oklahoma where they farmed and ranched for the next 20 years. Mary continued her nursing career during this time as a school nurse in Savanah, Oklahoma where she retired, ending her nursing career. In 2001, they sold the farm and moved to McAlester, Oklahoma due to Terry’s declining heath. Mary was a devout Catholic. She was an actively involved parishioner of St. John Evangelist in McAlester and served as a lector, parish council member, women’s guild president, children religious educator, and was a Eucharistic minister for the homebound.

Mary had many hobbies and interests. She was an active member of the Republican Women organization, the McAlester Community Theater, the red hats club, and she ran for city council narrowly losing to the incumbent. She was a master gardener and spent many hours cultivating her many gardens over her lifetime. She enjoyed travel, reading and especially her family and many friends whom she loved unconditionally. She loved life and lived it to the fullest to her dying day.

She was truly a gift to us all and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visitation May 14, 2023 from 4-6 pm followed by Rosary Service led by Deacon Steve Lewis at Primrose Funeral home at 1109 N Porter Avenue in Norman, Oklahoma.

Mass of Christian Burial officiated by Reverend Robert Miller at 10:30 am on May 15, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, located at 211 N Porter Avenue in Norman, Oklahoma.

Interment officiated by Reverend Jovita Okonkwo at 3 pm on May 15, 2023 in Mount Calvary Cemetery at 1300 E Washington Avenue, McAlester, Oklahoma.

The family asks that anyone wanting to order flowers for Mary's service, please contact Designs By Laura 405-517-7448.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.primrosefuneralservice.com for the Coker family.