Billie Jean Coker

Billie Jean Coker was born in Kingsville, Texas on January 13, 1936. She went peacefully in death to meet her Savior on January 11, 2024. Early in life she married Charles Henry. She later married John D. Coker in 1960. After 41 happy years of marriage, John passed away on September 19, 2001. In 2010 Billie Published a book entitled One Tear Drop, which was the story of how God sustained her through her journey with the illness and loss of her husband. Billie Jean came to faith in Christ at a Billy Graham Crusade in 1965 at the Astro Dome in Houston. In 1966, she and John were charter members of Bay City Baptist Church. She served the Lord at Bay City Baptist Church from 1966-1989. In 1998 John started traveling for work and wherever they lived, they always found a church home where they could serve. This included serving for five years in Rock Springs, Wyoming and five years in Killeen, Texas. Billie Jean moved to Tyler in August 2003 where she quickly became actively involved in Green Acres Baptist Church. She could be found at church “every time the doors were open.” In addition, she was instrumental in serving in several key Ministries at Green Acres. She was part of the planning team that launched the WIN (Widows in Need) Ministry. She served on the Benevolence Committee and was a faithful member of the Celebration Choir and Highest Praise Senior Adult Choir. Billie Jean remained active until health issues slowed her down in 2017. Even after that time, she could be seen faithfully attending worship on the front row with her walker. Billie Jean loved to travel. In Bay City, she and John accompanied the church youth choirs when they were on tour. While in Tyler, she participated in numerous Highest Praise Choir Tours and traveled with the Celebration Choir and Orchestra in Mission Trips to New York City and Washington D.C. She traveled with Pastor David Dykes’ groups to trace the footsteps of Jesus in Israel on three different occasions. She once wrote, “I just can’t get enough of going and walking where Jesus had lived and walked. Plus, it is such a blessing to see where Jesus died on the cross for me.” Billie Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Edwin J. Thormaehlen, Sr. and Eunice Belle Taylor Thormaehlen, daughter, Diane Coker Traweek, and son-in-law, Greg Loring. She is survived by her loving family including her children, Suzanne Calk and husband Clayton, Sandra J. Burgyan and husband Istvan, Sherry L. Loring, Clyde Wayne Bruening and wife Donna, Johnna K. Coker Mitchell and husband Stephen, and Gary W. Coker and wife Becky; brother, Edwin J. Thormaehlen, Jr. and wife Jeralln; sister, Linda Kay Burtram; and 15 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held for Billie Jean on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. (Visitation at 9:00 a.m.) in the Chapel of Green Acres Baptist Church. A private graveside service will be held at a later date in Roselawn Memorial Park in Van Vleck, Texas where she will be laid to rest next to her late husband, John. In lieu of flowers, Billie Jean requested memorials be made to the following ministries at Green Acres Baptist Church: WIN Ministry, Celebration Choir and Orchestra, or the Benevolence Ministry. These gifts may be sent to Green Acres Baptist Church, 1607 Troup Hwy., Tyler, TX 75701.

Billie Jean Coker

January 13, 1936 - January 11, 2024