Virgil "Sonny" H. Coker Jr.'s Obituary
Virgil ‘Sonny’ H. Coker, Jr. passed away quietly on November 19, 2021, at Jacksonville Health and Rehabilitation after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s.
Sonny was born in Anniston, Alabama on June 4, 1947, where his dad, Virgil, owned and operated a tire and automotive service business. He graduated from Anniston High School in 1965.
Sonny graduated from Jacksonville State University with a degree in Business Administration. Except for a brief period when he was employed by a business based in Birmingham, Alabama, Sonny worked in his dad’s family business until the business property was sold subsequent to his dad’s retirement after 40 years in business. A few years later, he worked for the Calhoun County Board of Registrars.
Sonny was outspoken in his spiritual and political beliefs, was a frequent caller to a local radio talk show at one time and was a member of and active in the Calhoun County Republican Party. Sonny grew up and was active in the First United Methodist Church until he joined his wife, Carol, in worship at Parker Memorial Baptist Church where Carol had been a life long member.
Sonny was preceded in death by his wife, Carol Jean Ledbetter Allen, his parents Virgil H. Coker and Neysa Mary Mosley Coker, and his beloved aunt, Vesta Alice Coker, who became surrogate mother to Sonny after the untimely death of his mother in 1952.
Sonny is survived by his brother Joseph ‘Joe’ L. Coker (Ginger) of Hoover, Alabama, his first cousins who he considered as siblings, Donald ‘Don’ C. Wiegand (Ricky) of Montgomery, Alabama and Lynn Wiegand Brunner (Richard) of Georgetown, Texas, and many other beloved loved family and loved ones including his wife’s first cousin, Kathy Swanson of Knoxville, Tennessee, and her family who ensured that Sonny and Carol could share their final resting place together.
Sonny will be long remembered by his family and friends for his selfless devotion for caring, compassion and caretaking of others.
Sonny was laid to rest next to Carol at Algood City Cemetery in Algood, Tennessee with a private memorial service held for him on Saturday, December 11th.
In celebration of Sonny’s Life, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or alz.org.
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