Linda Davis Coker, 71, of Evergreen, Alabama passed away peacefully at home on March 29, 2016. A memorial service was held April 1, 2016 at 2 p.m. at Evergreen Baptist Church.
Linda is survived by her husband of 48 years, William Stanton Coker Jr.; her three children, William Stanton Coker III (Trey), Linda Anne Coker Bird, and Kellie Elizabeth Coker; her daughter-in-law, Leah Black Coker and son-in-law, David W. Bird; and three grandchildren, Sara Alison Coker, Karley Coker, and McKenzie Coker.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Audie and Pearl Davis; and her siblings, Sara Davis Harvey, Audie Davis Jr., and Jesse “Pete” Davis.
Born on May 15, 1944, Linda graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Education in 1966. She began teaching at Hallmark Elementary (Pensacola) that year, then took a teaching post at Evergreen Elementary School after her marriage to Stan on July 8, 1967. Linda and Stan moved to Kissimmee, Florida, and Hartselle, Alabama, before settling back in Evergreen, where Linda continued teaching.
She accepted a post at Sparta Academy, where she remained until 1993. At that time Linda took a post at Fort Dale Academy teaching first grade. She retired from Fort Dale in 2013. During her tenure at Sparta and Fort Dale, she also volunteered her time, serving as sponsor to the cheerleading and Scholar’s Bowl teams. In 1994 she was recognized as Teacher of the Year at Fort Dale and in 2005 Montgomery television station WSFA honored her with the prestigious Golden Apple Award.
Linda expressed her wish to continue her teaching legacy even after her passing by having her body donated to medical researchers and students at the University of South Alabama Medical College.