Donna Sue Coker of Nassau Bay, Texas passed away peacefully on April 15, 2019 with her husband by her side.

Donna Sue Coker was born on August 1, 1937 in Anna, Illinois, being the second child of Eva Colboth Henderson and Oval Henderson.  She was a member of Nassau Bay Baptist Church and retired from Bacliff Elementary, Dickinson ISD.

Donna Sue grew up attending schools in Anna, Illinois; Jackson, Mississippi; and Murphysboro, Illinois.  After graduating from Murphysboro Township High School in 1955 she married William Wilson Coker of Murphysboro.  Donna Sue continued her studies at University of Illinois, Bennington College, Hartwick College and graduating from New York University with a Bachelor of Science Degree majoring in music education.  She then moved to Queens New York where she began teaching in 1963.  After opening Lincoln Center, The Cokers moved to San Jose, California where both continued their teaching careers and pursuing advanced degrees.  Always improving herself, Donna Sue graduated from San Jose State with a Master of Art’s degree in Education Administration.

Donna was the ever-supportive wife and enjoyed hosting and attending many functions associated with the Lincoln Center, San Jose State, Fresno State Universities, and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.  She also had a passion for gardening; producing vegetable for her dinners and flowers for the table.  She enjoyed community and university fundraising activities for the arts and sciences.

Donna Sue was a member of Sigma Alpho Iota Music fraternity; Faculty Wives Club at Hartwick College, San Jose State College, Fresno State College and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale; Fresno Opera Board and Nassau Bay Garden Club.

It was through church where Donna met Mansel Ray Coker whom she married August 28, 2014.  They spend the past few years traveling the world, dedicating their time and devotion to their church and simply enjoying their life together.  Her faith in Christ was evidenced by her love and concern for others throughout her life and belief that all things could be accomplished through Jesus.  It is in this knowledge of her deep faith that we are comforted, for she is certainly in the hands of our Lord Jesus Christ.

She is survived by her husband, Mansel Ray Coker; stepsons: Kenneth Ray Coker, wife Celcia; Richard G. Coker, wife Carron; and Brian K. Coker; step grandchild: Ian A. Coker and Jamison E. Coker; brother, Henry Tommie Cardwell III and sister, Audrey Zulema Cheatham; both of Murphysboro, Illinois.  Along with nephews, nieces and great number of relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by husbands, Wilson William Coker and Ronald Colville Croston; mother, Eva Colboth Cardwell and fathers, Orval Henderson and Henry Tommie Cardwell II; and brother, William Cardwell.

A memorial service will be held on a later date.