Tributes

Sammy ‘Sam’ Doyle Coker was born on April 23, 1946 in Rockmart, Georgia. He was predeceased by his parents, Pete Coker and Margie Womack Coker Kiker, and six siblings, Mildred Carter, Edna Welch, Mary Elle Leahey, Jean Marler, Dennis Coker and Diane Vice Coker. At a young age, Sammy lived with OC Rochester and his wife, Bernice, and their son, Paul, who became like a brother to him. Mr. OC was his mentor and helped mold him into the remarkable man he became. During his time with Mr. OC, he learned a valuable trade of upholstery that would become his career after retiring from the U.S. Navy as a Chief Petty Officer. He served his country proudly and with great honor. Sammy was a 1964 graduate of Jacksonville High School and immediately entered the U.S. Navy and trained at Great Lakes Illinois and various other Naval academies. He was deployed on Several Navy Aircraft Carriers throughout his 20 year Naval career, where he worked as a hydraulics technician. He traveled to many countries including Germany, Italy, Spain, England, Falkland Islands, Iceland, Greenland, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, France and Poland. He would often say, ‘I have traveled the world!’ Sammy returned home to Calhoun County where he took over Jacksonville Upholstery before successfully starting his personal business from his home in Weaver. He retired due to illness and continued to enjoy his family, visits from his kids, grandchildren, great grandchild, cousins, nephews, nieces and many friends. He loved his dogs Max, Good Dog Fred, and his current dog, Chief. He was a terrific role model and mentor to everyone. He is survived by over 100 nieces and nephews, all of which have shared stories of how he helped them over the years. Even in the end, he kept his wit and sense of humor. He was rich beyond measure in love and respect. They adored him! Mr. Coker passed away peacefully at his home surround by family and loved ones on August 13, 2016. Mr. Coker is survived by his wife, Deena Coker; sisters, Linda Sue Coker Gill and Mary Ann Coker Cantrell; children, Tony Coker, Terry and Leslie Coker, Tammy Coker, Craig and Terri Meyer and Eric and Heidi Meyer; grandchildren, Leslie, Chelsie, Logan, Haley, Mikayla, Landon, Johnny, Madison, Porter, Thomas, Anna Lee, Ashlyn and great granddaughter, Brooklyn. The family would like to thank Amedysis and Alacare for their dedication and kindness in helping our family through this difficult time. Services for Mr. Coker will be on Tuesday, August 16, 2016 in the chapel at First Baptist Church of Oxford at 4pm. The family will receive friends from 2-4 on the same day. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Diabetes Association or to your favorite charity.

Tributes

Mr. Sammy 'Sam' Doyle Coker

April 23, 1946 - August 13, 2016