Ruth Jane Coker

Ruth “Jane” Coker of Meeker, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 21, 2024, in Meeker, Oklahoma, at the age of 83 years.

Ruth “Jane” Coker was born on August 17, 1940, in Calumet, Oklahoma. She was the daughter of Floyd and Frances (Arnold) Ellison. Jane grew up in Calumet, Oklahoma, attended Mistletoe Elementary School, Muskogee County public schools, and graduated from Webbers Falls High School as Salutatorian for the class of 1958. She furthered her education and received her nursing degree at Saint Anthony School of Nursing in Oklahoma City in 1961 as one of 67 graduates. Jane was introduced to Clifford Dwayne “Wayne” Coker on a blind date, they married in 1964 and made their home in Bethany, Oklahoma. She worked in the maternity ward at Saint Anthony’s Hospital in Oklahoma City for a number of years.  In 1975 they began their family with the adoption of their daughter, Jennie. In 1979 they were blessed with the adoption of their son, Philip and moved to Meeker, Oklahoma the same year. When Jennie and Philip were in school, she enjoyed staying busy and being involved in their activities. She was the Camp Fire summer camp “Nurse Jane” for several years. She was Meeker YHO/FHA president and compiled a cookbook of “local homegrown recipes” from the Meeker community. She also sold Tupperware & collected all things “Coca-Cola”. Jane retired from Central Oklahoma Juvenile Treatment Center.  After she and Wayne both retired, they enjoyed traveling South and West of Oklahoma, especially around the Mesa Verde. They enjoyed reupholstering antique furniture, gardening, picking blackberries and canning. Christmas was Jane’s favorite time of the year. She enjoyed collecting Hallmark ornaments and thoughtfully chose the perfect ornament for family and friends each year as gifts.  Jane had a passion for collecting Barbie dolls, a lot of which had matching ornaments that adorned a Christmas tree dubbed the “Barbie Tree”. She enjoyed sewing and gifting things she had made.  Her love language was food, her heart swelled when she could get all of the grandkids together and eat a meal.  She adored all animals and enjoyed watching any Zoo related Netflix show.  She loved her family and grandchildren. On May 10, 2011, Wayne passed away and Jane continued to live in Meeker.  

She was also preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Marjorie Lowe; and one brother, Alvin Ellison.

She is survived by her daughter, Jennie and husband Dustin O'Brien of Perkins, Oklahoma; one son, Philip Coker of Meeker, Oklahoma; three grandchildren, Gage O'Brien and Jessie of Sand Springs, Oklahoma; Devin O'Brien and Hannah of Yukon, Oklahoma, and Seth O'Brien of Hawaii; one great grandchild, Oliver; she also had honorary grandchildren, Kevin Gutierrez and McKenzie of Meeker, Byron Gutierrez and Taylor of Meeker, Jose Morales of Meeker, Tatiana Echeverria; and honorary great grandchildren.
 

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