Rachel Whitman Coker

Rachel Whitman Coker, age 84, passed away on February 28, 2024, after a five-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

She was born in Montgomery, AL on August 14, 1939, and had lived in Diamondhead, MS for 30 years. She was a retired Bell System (AT&T) employee, having worked 32 years in Montgomery, AL, Fairfax/Alexandria, VA and Birmingham, AL as a Service Representative, Business Office Supervisor, Business Office Manager, Staff Manager, and at a time of retirement, Manager, Public Communications Business Office for a five-state area. She and her husband Fletcher moved to Diamondhead, MS in 1994 and she spent her time enjoying her church, her family and playing golf. Prior to her marriage to Fletcher, she was an avid tennis player, but for their first Christmas together she received a set of golf clubs, clothes and golf balls. She took the hint. In time she broke 90. She was a member of Diamondhead Community Church where at various times she was Moderator of the Women of the Church, Secretary of the Children/Youth Ministry Committee and a member of the Building and Nominating committees. She was a long-time member of PEO, Chapter T, serving as Vice President on two occasions. Prior to her illness, she was a member of the Diamondhead Women’s Golf Association, the Retired Officers Wives Club and the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW. She and Fletcher are also a Host Couple of the Red and White Holiday Gala.

She was preceded in death by her parents, W.L. and Eunice Whitman; her daughter, Kim Roll Shivers; her six siblings, three brothers and three sisters.

She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Major General, (Retired) Fletcher Coker, Jr.; step daughter, Kim Coker (Randy Russell) of Oxford, MS; three grandsons, Justin Roll (Tabatha) of Gallatin, TN, Michael Roll (Shannon) of Castle Rock, CO and Rhett Dixon of Rogers,  AR; two great grand-daughters, Peyton and Emerson Roll; 2 great-grandsons, Maverick and Jameson Roll; her special niece, Sandra Stacks of Lebanon, TN, as well as numerous other nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at Diamondhead Community Church, 5301 Diamondhead Circle on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at 11:00AM with the visitation at 10:00AM until service time at the church. The interment will be private and held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the scholarship fund of Cottey College, 1000 West Austin Blvd, Nevada, MO 64772-9982 or to the Alzheimer's Association. https://act.alz.org/site/Donation

Riemann Family Funeral Home, 9113 Kiln Delisle Rd, Pass Christian, MS 39571 is serving the family.