Obituary of
Coker, Karen D.
Karen Denise Coker, 43 of Carrollton, TX was welcomed into eternal life with Jesus Christ on Wednesday, December 11, 2013 in Carrollton, TX after enduring many years without complaint from the difficulties of pulmonary sarcoidosis. She was born at BaylorHospital in Dallas on a cold snowy night, January 5, 1970 to the joy of Patsy and Johnny Coker.
Among Karenās many gifts was that of nurturer. She humbly cared for countless children throughout her high school and college years. She received so much joy in witnessing many of these young people grow into adults and start their own families. She received her greatest joy from helping her siblings, Angela Sluder and John Coker, raise her nieces and nephews. It was common to find Karen building legos, playing board games and learning how to play Wii as she embraced her role as āfavorite auntā. As her nieces and nephews grew Karen could always be counted on as a safe place for them to seek a warm embrace and gentle wisdom.
In Karenās younger years her heartās desire was to be a cheerleader. Little did she know that her greatest cheering years would come in her 30ās and 40ās as she became the ultimate cheerleader for her niece and nephews attending countless band concerts, football, baseball, softball and basketball games. As one friend described her āshe was always a sweet addition to the fansā.
Karen loved growing up and living in Carrollton often reminding her family the importance of our Carrollton roots. She graduated from NewmanSmithHigh School in 1988. She was a member of the Troyanns where she made numerous lifelong friendships. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas Womenās University in 1993 with a Bachelorās of Science.Ā
Karenās vocation in life was caring for her family especially her mother after her fatherās passing in 1997. Karen and Patsy shared a beautiful relationship that was far more than the traditional mother/daughter relationship. They were best friends, sisters, shopping partners, travel buddies and chatterboxes; they truly were companions in life. Karen & Patsy together were welcomed in to the catholic faith at Easter vigil in 2007 and she regularly attended Mass at MaryImmaculateChurch.
Karen cherished her relationship with her older brother, John. Although there were separated by seven years in age they drew close to one another as they experienced the joys and challenges of life including the loss of their dad and sister, additions of new family members, health and financial fluctuations. Karen always offered a stable presence in her brotherās life.Ā
Karen is survived by her mother, Patsy Coker of Carrollton; brother and sister-in-law John & Michelle Coker and her nephews, Nathan, David, Sean and niece, Caroline Coker all of Lewisville. Nephew, Christian Coker of San Antonio; nieces, Nichole & Marion Sluder of San Antonio; great-nieces Grace and Peyton; and dear friend Emily Reid Thune of Keller.
Karen is preceded in death by her father, Johnny Coker Jr of Carrollton and sister, Angela Sluder of San Antonio.
The family will receive visitors Saturday, December 14, 2013 4 PM ā 6PM at North Dallas Funeral home 2710 Valley View Lane, Farmers BranchTX75234 with a praying of the Rosary at 5:00 PM.
Mass of Christian burial will be held at 12:00 noon Monday, December 16, 2013 at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church 2800 Valwood Parkway Farmers Branch officiated by Father Bruce Bradley. Interment immediately following the Mass at HilltopCemetery in Carrollton.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Foundation for Sacroidosis Research 1820 West Webster Avenue Suite 304, Chicago, IL 60614 312-341-0500.
Please send family condolences and sign the guestbook on this website.
Tribute Wall of Coker, Karen D.
Karen, you will be missed! Prayers go out to your sweet mom and the rest of your family. I will always remember how special you were to your mom. Let your ray of sunshine shine down on us! Rest in peace sweet girl <3
Dedra Carmical Bouffard
Thursday October 13, 2022
Karen, you will be missed! Prayers go out to your sweet mom and the rest of your family. I will always remember how special you were to your mom. Let your ray of sunshine shine down on us! Rest in peace sweet girl <3
So sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in your memories of Karen as well in God’s peace.
Jackson Family
Thursday October 13, 2022
So sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in your memories of Karen as well in God's peace.
Very sad to hear and please know that you have my thoughts and prayers that God will comfort and be with you during this difficult time. Karen was a very sweet girl and a blessing for all of us to have known.
Larry Cornwell
Thursday October 13, 2022
Very sad to hear and please know that you have my thoughts and prayers that God will comfort and be with you during this difficult time. Karen was a very sweet girl and a blessing for all of us to have known.
I am so sorry to hear of Karen’s passing. Karen and I were Troyann’s together. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Lisa (Cannon) Richter
Thursday October 13, 2022
I am so sorry to hear of Karen's passing. Karen and I were Troyann's together. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Ms. Patsy,
I am still in shock to hear of Karen’s passing. What an amazing lady she was to all that knew her. She developed into a beautiful soul any my heart is breaking for you and your family.
Kristi "Tall" Williams Hinsley
Thursday October 13, 2022
Ms. Patsy,
I am still in shock to hear of Karen's passing. What an amazing lady she was to all that knew her. She developed into a beautiful soul any my heart is breaking for you and your family.
Karen, you will be missed. Our thoughts are with all of your friends and family.
Lauren Melton
Thursday October 13, 2022
Karen, you will be missed. Our thoughts are with all of your friends and family.
I was so shocked and saddened to hear about Karen’s passing. We were on drill team together and she was always so sweet and always had a smile on her face. A light has been dimmed in this world with her gone. My thoughts are with the family.
Kristine Green Lewis
Thursday October 13, 2022
I was so shocked and saddened to hear about Karen's passing. We were on drill team together and she was always so sweet and always had a smile on her face. A light has been dimmed in this world with her gone. My thoughts are with the family.
I was so saddened to hear of Karen’s passing. I went to high school with her and remember her as a sweet and kind person. I am so sorry for your loss and my thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.
Pam (Huling) Jones
Thursday October 13, 2022
I was so saddened to hear of Karen's passing. I went to high school with her and remember her as a sweet and kind person. I am so sorry for your loss and my thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.
We are so sorry for the loss of your daughter, Patsy. She definitely left her footprints here on earth for others to follow. She fought the good fight and now she can rest while others follow her inspiring light.
Chris and Judy Herman
Thursday October 13, 2022
We are so sorry for the loss of your daughter, Patsy. She definitely left her footprints here on earth for others to follow. She fought the good fight and now she can rest while others follow her inspiring light.
My condolences and prayers go out to the family and loved ones of Karen. I was so sad to hear of her passing and her illness. Karen was a kind and sweet girl. We were childhood friends growing up in Carrollton. She will be missed.
Debbie (Carroll) Lowe
Thursday October 13, 2022
My condolences and prayers go out to the family and loved ones of Karen. I was so sad to hear of her passing and her illness. Karen was a kind and sweet girl. We were childhood friends growing up in Carrollton. She will be missed.
Aunt Patsy,
Our deepest condolences. Ā You summited your children to the Lord a long time ago, and although it may be difficult to let go, please be comforted in the fact that God decided that Karen’s wait to go to heaven was over, so that she could see the Joy that waiteth on the other side. Ā “Our soul waiteth for the Lord:Ā he is our help and our shield.”Ā –Ā Psalms 33:20
Although our hearts are saddened, we can find peace Ā in the knowledge that Ā Karen will spend this Christmas with both her fathers. Ā We love you, and miss you. Ā Please know that we are praying for the entire family. Ā Karen will always be fondly remembered.
Rolland & Rosann Coulon, and Rolland Sr. (NC)
Thursday October 13, 2022
Aunt Patsy,
Our deepest condolences. Ā You summited your children to the Lord a long time ago, and although it may be difficult to let go, please be comforted in the fact that God decided that Karen's wait to go to heaven was over, so that she could see the Joy that waiteth on the other side. Ā "Our soul waiteth for the Lord:Ā he is our help and our shield."Ā -Ā Psalms 33:20
Although our hearts are saddened, we can find peace Ā in the knowledge that Ā Karen will spend this Christmas with both her fathers. Ā We love you, and miss you. Ā Please know that we are praying for the entire family. Ā Karen will always be fondly remembered.
Patsy, John, Michelle and family,
What a blessing to have walked the faith journey with you and Karen in 2007 as you joined Mary Immaculate Church. Karen is a delightful, caring person whose family was the source of her JOY!
I praise and thank God for the gift of her life. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love,
Priscilla Mahaffey
Priscilla Mahaffey
Thursday October 13, 2022
Patsy, John, Michelle and family,
What a blessing to have walked the faith journey with you and Karen in 2007 as you joined Mary Immaculate Church. Karen is a delightful, caring person whose family was the source of her JOY!
I praise and thank God for the gift of her life. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love,
Priscilla Mahaffey
I was very saddened to learn of Karen’s passing. I graduated from Newman Smith with her and remember her just as she is described here, a sweet person with a beautiful and ever present smile who was well like by all. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.
Nancy Jackson
Thursday October 13, 2022
I was very saddened to learn of Karen's passing. I graduated from Newman Smith with her and remember her just as she is described here, a sweet person with a beautiful and ever present smile who was well like by all. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.
We truly cherish the memories of Karen and our family time during summer vacations in Texas and North Carolina. Karen was always radiant and full of life. So hard to hear that she has passed this week. Please know that we will certainly be praying for comfort during this difficult time. All our love to Aunt Patsy, John (JC), Michelle and Family.
Kelvin, Dinah, Madison, Jacob & Ben Oxendine (NC Family)
Thursday October 13, 2022
We truly cherish the memories of Karen and our family time during summer vacations in Texas and North Carolina. Karen was always radiant and full of life. So hard to hear that she has passed this week. Please know that we will certainly be praying for comfort during this difficult time. All our love to Aunt Patsy, John (JC), Michelle and Family.
Aunt Patsy, John, Michelle and Kids,
Your family in NC is so sorry to hear of Karen’s passing. Other condolences make reference to her sweet spirit. Our Father above treasures such a spirit of kindness and love. We will miss her but what a gift heaven has received. We love you all and pray for ceaseless comfort and consolation during this difficult time.
Kendall, April, Colin and Lydia Oxendine (North Carolina)
Thursday October 13, 2022
Aunt Patsy, John, Michelle and Kids,
Your family in NC is so sorry to hear of Karen's passing. Other condolences make reference to her sweet spirit. Our Father above treasures such a spirit of kindness and love. We will miss her but what a gift heaven has received. We love you all and pray for ceaseless comfort and consolation during this difficult time.
Our prayers for all of the family. Everyone loved Karen. She is gone too soon.
Andy & Holly Jayroe
Thursday October 13, 2022
Our prayers for all of the family. Everyone loved Karen. She is gone too soon.
I’m so sorry to hear of Karen’s passing. I remember Karen being so sweet & kind, my first friend when I moved to Carollton in 7th grade. Not an easy age to come into a new school. I was so relieved to have made a friend, but I was extremely blessed it was Karen. My deepest sympathy to her family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kim (Dawson) Smith
Thursday October 13, 2022
I'm so sorry to hear of Karen's passing. I remember Karen being so sweet & kind, my first friend when I moved to Carollton in 7th grade. Not an easy age to come into a new school. I was so relieved to have made a friend, but I was extremely blessed it was Karen. My deepest sympathy to her family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I knew Karen in high school. Always fun and sweet. I’m very sorry for your loss. Prayers from my family for yours.
Mike Bulin
Thursday October 13, 2022
I knew Karen in high school. Always fun and sweet. I'm very sorry for your loss. Prayers from my family for yours.
Karen was one of my fellow Troyanns and very good friends. She will truly be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time of sorrow.
Kristi Mislivets Berger
Thursday October 13, 2022
Karen was one of my fellow Troyanns and very good friends. She will truly be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time of sorrow.
Patsy..
We were saddened to hear of Karen’s passing. She was a beautiful girl and woman that will always be remembered by her friends and there parents at Newman Smith.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family in this time of sorrow.
Kenneth & Paula Daughtry
Thursday October 13, 2022
Patsy..
We were saddened to hear of Karen's passing. She was a beautiful girl and woman that will always be remembered by her friends and there parents at Newman Smith.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family in this time of sorrow.
I knew Karen in high school, from Troyanns. She was a very sweet person and very caring. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. God bless you and comfort you during this time.
Leigh Ann (Crady) Ross
Thursday October 13, 2022
I knew Karen in high school, from Troyanns. She was a very sweet person and very caring. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. God bless you and comfort you during this time.