Mary Laverne (Hodges) Coggins

Mary Laverne Coggins, 81, of Dallas, TX, went home to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 31, 2022. She was born on July 23, 1940, in Hale Center, TX, to Alvin and Edna Ponder Hodges. She was the youngest of three children and her father fondly called her “Laverne.”

Laverne’s early years were lived in Amarillo, TX, where she participated in baton twirling, modeling at a local department store and enjoying her friends in the Panhandle. She was active at the First Baptist Church of Amarillo. Laverne graduated from Amarillo High School in 1958.

In 1960, Laverne married the love of her life, “Jimmy,” James T. Coggins, also from Amarillo, and they moved to Dallas for Jimmy to begin his medical school training at UT Southwestern. Laverne and Jim settled in Irving for a brief time before making their home in Kessler Park, where they raised their family. Laverne was devoted to her husband of 53 years. She was his strongest supporter during his 35-year Urology practice at Methodist Hospital. Laverne and Jim were active supporters of the Methodist Hospital medical community throughout their lives in Dallas.

Laverne loved to serve others in many different areas of her life. In 1960, Laverne and Jim joined First Baptist Church of Dallas, where they were some of the founding members of the Medical and Dental Sunday School Class. In her later years, she was a member of the Billman Class. She also participated in FBC’s Discipleship University and the Celebration Singers Senior Choir. Other interests included many years as a Bible Study Fellowship member and leader, an active member in the Methodist Hospital Guild and the Kessler Park Neighborhood Association.

Laverne was devoted to her family, especially during her children’s academic years at First Baptist Academy. She helped with FBA Drill Team activities, sports boosters and PTA events. While her children were in the Clarion and Chapel Choirs at FBC Dallas, she and Jimmy served as Choir Sponsors during mission trips to New Orleans, Colorado and Great Britain.

Some of her favorite things were spending time with her grandchildren; ski trips to Colorado, cooking. birdwatching, classical and Christian music, attending First Baptist Church and ministering to her friends. She also loved caring for her constant companion, Princess, her beautiful King Charles Cavalier Spaniel.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Dr. James T. Coggins, her parents, Alvin and Edna Hodges and her brother, Jerrell.

Laverne is survived by her daughter, Lisa Rahimi, and her husband, Abbas, her grandchildren, Rian and Roya; and one son. Other survivors include her sister, Kathy Cantrell; her niece, Julie Cantrell; her niece, Tonya Hartsfield, and her husband, Ross, their children, Sarah and Mark; Bethany Wilkinson and her husband, Wes, and their daughter Jessie Lynn.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, February 18, in the Truett Auditorium at First Baptist Church, 1707 San Jacinto, Dallas, Texas, 75201. The service will be followed by a private family graveside at Sparkman-Hillcrest Mausoleum and Memorial Park.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The First Baptist Church of Dallas or Criswell College.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com for the Coggins family.