Rev. Roy Winchester Coker

   Roy Winchester Coker peacefully passed away on October 25, 2017.   Mr. Coker was born on July 7, 1919 to Marcus Winchester and Lucy (Luvie) Narcissus Carson both have preceded Mr. Coker in death. Mr. Coker married Anne Meriwether Graham on May 22, 1947 who preceded in death him on November 19, 1975.  Mr. Coker married Lois Beatrice Kiser on January 17, 1981, who preceded him in death on May 29, 1996.
    
    Mr. Coker is survived by a son, Reverend Marc (Karen) Coker of Edisto Beach and a daughter, Lucy C. Saxon of Charlotte NC. He is also survived by a sister, Mary Carol (George) Michie of Black Mountain NC and a brother, Stacy (Brenda) Coker, Laurel  Maryland. Mr. Coker also was raised with two special cousins he considered his brother and sister, Jane Milam(deceased) and William(Billy) Carson of Ashland, Ga

   Mr. Coker was blessed with four granddaughters: Megan (Eric) Seitz, Summerville, SC;   Stacy (Lafeyette) White of Charlotte, NC; Cristal Lester of Charlotte NC  and Abey (Jared) Foster of Columbia SC. His blessing continue to grow with the addition of eight great-grandchildren: Kareem(Bubba) Aleem; Kayla Aleem; Caleb Aleem; Carson Lester; Reece Lester; Addison Seitz; Carson Seitz and Jack Foster. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins who he enjoyed spending time during his tenure on this earth.

    Mr. Coker graduated from Franklin County High School, Carnesville GA in 1937. He then proceeded to further his education at Presbyterian College, Clinton SC graduating in 1941. World War II entered Mr. Coker’s life and he served in the Army, July 1941- March 1946. He served as Captain, Tank Company Commander, 16th Calvary Squadron Mechanized, 2 years and 6 months and was discharged a Major.  Mr. Coker served in the European Theatre of Operations November 1944- July 1945.

    When Mr. Coker returned from the war he attended Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA, where earned a Bachelor of Divinity Degree (Cum Laud) in 1948.  On July 12, 1948 he was ordained as Minister of the Word and Carolina Presbytery. And this began his illustrious career as a minister in the following churches and/or other positions as he was led through his career:

    Pastor of the following churches:
    Friendship Presbyterian Church, Hickory Tavern, Laurens SC - June 1948 until September 1954; Rocky Spring Presbyterian Church, Laurens SC - June 1948 - April 1953;
    Lebanon & Warrenton Presbyterian Churches, Abbeville County, Abbeville SC - September 1954 - March 1961;  Liberty Springs Presbyterian Church - Cross Hill SC - March 1961-August 1964;
    Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church - Charlotte NC - February 1969-August 1984.
    
    Presbytery:

    Executive Secretary, Presbytery of South Carolina, Cross Hill SC - March 1961 - August 1964;  Church Extension Secretary, Presbytery of Lexington, Staunton VA - September 1964-February 1969;
    Stated Clerk, Presbytery of South Carolina - September 1952 - January 1959; June 1960 - August 1964;     Stated Clerk, Presbytery of Lexington, Staunton VA - June 1968-January 1969;
    Interim Executive Secretary, Presbytery, Staunton VA - June 1968 - January 1969.

    Presbytery Responsibilities (to use an army term “in addition to your other duties”)

    Adult Advisor and Conference Director, Junior High Week, Presbytery South Carolina - October 1948-July 1949;  Adult Advisor and Conference Director, Senior High Week, Presbytery of South Carolina- July 1949 - July 1952;
    Adult Advisor and Conference Director, Senior High Week, Synod of South Carolina - July 1952 - June 1955;     Chairperson, Committee on Ministry, Presbytery of Mecklenburg - January 1978 - January 1980;
    Chairperson, Committee on Property, Presbytery of Charlotte - January 1989 - January 1997.

    Honorably retired by Presbytery of Mecklenburg - August 31, 1984.

    Served as part time interim pastor of these churches;  First Presbyterian and Welcome Presbyterian Churches, Ware Shoals, SC - January 1985 - May 1985;
    Community Presbyterian Church, Fort Mill SC - July 1985 -December 1985;  Derita Presbyterian Church Charlotte NC - February 1986 - July 1986;
    Indian Trail Presbyterian Church, Indian Trail NC - January 1987 - December 1987;  St. John Presbyterian Church, The Plaza, Charlotte NC - January 1988 - February 1988;
    Marks Creek Presbyterian Church, Hamlet NC - December 1988 - October 1990.      Providence Presbyterian Church - Charlotte NC - November 1990 - December 1992; April 1995-January 2010.
    Designated Pastor Emeritus January 2010 - Providence Presbyterian Church, Charlotte NC

    Mr. Coker wrote his autobiography “A Boy from North Georgia” during his 8th decade of life.  He enjoyed compiling the book with the chronological information included in the book which commanded several trips to cemeteries in GA with his family in tow.  Mr. Coker always had a story/tale to tell his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and anyone else that would listen. He left a legacy that spans many generations of relatives and friends who will cherish the lessons and wisdom he imparted upon them. If you met Mr. Coker, you knew you had met a character that would forever remain in your memory.

    A Committal Service for Reverend Coker will take place Friday, October 27th at 1:00PM at  Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church Cemetery (15000 York Rd Charlotte NC,  28278) with a memorial service to follow at 3:00 PM at Providence Presbyterian Church (10140 Providence Church Ln, Charlotte, NC 28277.    In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be given to Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church or Providence Presbyterian Church.

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