Charlotte Lynn Coker Kelly

The rarest of all flowers, Charlotte Lynn Coker Kelly, was called home to be with the Lord on January 17, 2022. She was born in Houston, Texas on June 25, 1954 to Simeon H. Coker and Lois L. Halyard. Charlotte earned an Associate’s Degree in Horticulture from Texas A&M University. She was residing in Minneapolis, Minnesota when she met her future husband, Paul A. Kelly. In 1987, they wed in Vegas and were happily married for 34 years.

Other than her family, Charlotte was most proud of her garden and her home in Arlington Heights, IL. Her natural talent for interior decorating and landscape design combined with her work ethic and passion, created a home that was beautiful both inside and out. Anyone who had seen her work would agree it was worthy of any magazine.

Of Charlotte’s long and storied career in all things horticulture, one of her proudest moments was creating a sensory exhibit of various lowered beds with different plants and flowers for those with disabilities, in honor of her sister Mary. Her hope was that gardening would be accessible to everyone.

Charlotte was preceded in death by her father Simeon, her mother Lois, her brothers Herbert, Charles and Robert Coker, and sisters Shirley Harris and Mary Pardue. She is survived by her husband Paul Kelly; her son David Gowing and his wife Carissa, son Bryan Kelly and his children Patrick and Mercedes; daughter Kaitlyn Kelly; her sister Betty Strey, and brother-in-law George Pardue. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a multitude of lifelong friends.

A Memorial Service will be held at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home Chapel , 12800 Westheimer Road Houston, Texas at 10:00am. Interment to follow at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery.

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