BELMONT – Dwayne Coker, 78, died Monday, Nov. 18, 2013, at North Mississippi Medical Center. He was retired from Reynolds Aluminum Co. after more than 35 years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was currently serving as Commander of the Belmont VFW. He was a member of New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. He loved working with wood. He was a Mason, a dual member of Bay Springs Lodge 167 and Iuka Lodge 94 and was a member in good standing of the Hamasa Shriners. He was serving as Emminent Commander of the Corinth Commandry York Rite and had also served as Head of the Chapter and Council. He was a 32nd degree KCCH in the Valley of Corinth Scottish Rite where he had served in the 32nd degree team and worked in the sound department as well as other things. He was president of Tishomingo County Scottish Rite Association.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church with Bro. William McClellan officiating. Burial will be in New Bethel Cemetery at Belmont. Deaton Funeral Home of Belmont will be in charge of arrangements.

Survivors are his wife of 59 years, Virginia Coker of Belmont; two children, Kim Coker of Belmont and Jason Coker (Natalie) of Dennis; two grandchildren, Jenny Lynn and Jake Coker; four sisters, Betty Jean Thornton, Rubene Spencer, Billie Ruth Kay and Clara Nell Brown; two brothers, Donald Coker (Arweeda) and Hubert Coker (Carolyn); two brothers-in-law, Gerald Henley (Tonya) and Billy Ray Henley (Lynn); and two sisters-in-law, Julie Mae Coker and Nellie Coker.

He was preceded in death by a son, Michael Coker, his parents, Homer and Luna Coker, three brothers, L.C., Charlie and Wayne Coker; and five brothers-in-law, Vade Thornton, Owen Brown, Roy Strickland, Ellis Spencer and Perry Kay.

His nephews will serve as pallbearers.

Visitation will be 6 to 9 p.m. today at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church and until service time on Wednesday.

Published in Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal on Nov. 19, 2013