James Coker

OLIVE BANCH, Ill. -- James R. "Jim" Coker, 76, of Olive Branch died Sunday, Dec. 28, 2003, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born April 30, 1927, in Ben Hill County, Ga., son of Walter and Odell Minshew Coker. He and Martha Housman were married in 1966. She died March 4, 2003.

Coker was a retired plumber and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force who served in World War II.

Survivors include three daughters, Janet Rosson and Sandra Berry of Olive Branch and Bonnie Cole of Kevil, Ky.; two brothers, Marvin Johnson of Davenport, Fla., and John Johnson of Bushnell, Fla.; a sister, Carol Baggs of Bonifay, Fla.; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, a brother, two sisters and a grandson.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms, Ill. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. The Rev. Carl Hester will officiate, with burial in Oak Grove Cemetery in Charleston, Mo.