Betty Lynn Coker passed away on Monday June 16, 2014. She was born July 24, 1925 in Memphis, TN to Thomas and Effie G. Young. She attended Texas Women’s University and later graduated from Henderson State Teacher’s College in Arkadelphia, AR with a BS Degree in Elementary Education and a BA Degree in Fine Arts.After marrying Floyd Coker in March of 1945 in Memphis TN, they returned to his hometown of Hot Springs, AR where Betty taught school and raised two daughters. In 1958 the family moved to Fort Stockton, Texas. Betty was an accomplished artist and a beloved teacher. She taught elementary school and later middle school art. She retired in 1986 after teaching for 34 years. She was a volunteer for the Fort Stockton Water Carnival, spending countless hours on floats and backdrops. Betty also volunteered as a Pink Lady at Pecos County Memorial Hospital. In 1994 she received the honor of “First Lady of Fort Stockton”, a place that she cherished.Betty became a Midland resident in 2002. She became a member of Christ Church of Midland, a church where she made many life-long friends. She enjoyed her time as a volunteer for Hospice of Midland. The most important things in Betty’s life were her faith, family and friends.She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Floyd Coker, her sister Gerry Basse and brother Thomas Young JR. She is survived by daughters, Cathy Echols and husband Malcolm of Blanco, TX, Jan Fuller and husband Jerry of Midland, TX; grandsons Robert McClelland and wife Pam of Louisville, KY, Commander Scott McClelland and wife Sonja of Japan, Shawn McClelland and wife Kim of Boerne, TX, Connie and Tim Kelly of Moorepark, CA, and Vicki Renfroe of Hot Springs, AR; granddaughters, Kaimi Brownlee and husband Trent of Midland, TX and Buffy Meador and husband Todd of Midland, TX; and a much loved niece, Colette Mayo and husband Leland of Oklahoma City, OK. Betty has sixteen great grandchildren that love her dearly.A graveside family service will be held in Fort Stockton on Wednesday, June 18 at 10:00 am. A celebration of Betty’s life will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, June 19, at Christ Church of Midland, located at 5501 N Midkiff. The family would like to thank Hospice of Midland and Manor Park Rehab for their compassion and countless hours of love and care. We will always be grateful.In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Hospice of Midland, PO Box 2621, Midland, TX 79702 or Rays of Hope, 900 W Wall ST, Midland, TX 79701.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,
