Ellen Coker

Ellen Coker, 72, passed away on July 18, 2024. Grace Gardens Funeral Home is handling her final arrangements. The family will remember Ellen privately.

Ellen was born January 16, 1952 at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, Louisiana. She grew up in an Air Force family, traveling to many places. The family lived in Lake Charles, Louisiana and Riverside, California. One of the most memorable assignments was two years spent on the island of Guam in the Pacific Ocean. She also enjoyed a family trip to Tokyo, Japan. When her father retired, they moved to Waco where Ellen attended Lake Air Junior High and graduated from Richfield High School. She spent the rest of her life in Waco.

Ellen worked for 30 years as a secretary in the field of education. She worked at the Region XII Education Service Center, McClennan Community College, and Baylor University. But the job she loved best was being a mother. Her children were always the most important. When her only grandchild was born, Ellen gave up her typewriter to help raise her. She always said that raising a child was the most important job in the world.

Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Norma Swearingen. She is survived by two sons, Kristopher Coker of Hewitt, TX and Charles Coker and wife Elvia of Hewitt, TX, and grandaughter Isabella Coker of Hewitt. Other survivors include her siblings, Skip Swearingen and wife Pat of Wichita, KS, Cindy Painter and husband Milton of Carrollton, TX, and sister Suzanne Harris of Salado, TX. She also leaves behind several nephews and nieces.

The guest book is offered below, you may leave your condolences or a fond memory about Ellen.