Mellie Rae Coker, 90, of Columbia, died Tuesday, May 27, 2014. Born in Columbia, on April 18, 1924, she was a daughter of the late Lottie Eva Prater and Thomas Preston Ramsay. After graduating Columbia High School, she married her lifelong sweetheart, James Francis Coker, on December 26, 1942. She was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection.

Surviving are sons, Francis Gregory and wife Jeannine Fickling Coker, of Gulf Shores, AL, Steven James Coker of Columbia, and Mark Thomas Coker of Columbia. Also surviving are grandchildren, John Francis Coker, Brian Gregory Coker, Tara Jeannine Coker Tucker, Catherine McAshan Coker Stoner, and Allison Whitley Coker; great-grandchildren, Kayla Tucker, Kristen Tucker, Elizabeth Coker, Jacob Francis Coker, Chloe Tucker, Isabella Coker, Ramsay Coker, Laura Katherine Coker, Reese Coker; and sister, Genell Lottie Ramsay Smith of Blackville, SC. In addition to her parents and husband, Mellie Rae was preceded in death by her son, David Preston Coker; brothers, Vernon Odell Ramsay, Robert Tarrell Ramsay, Thomas Rhett Ramsay; and sisters, Vanira Esther Lou Johnson, and Vivanee Clovetos Ayer.

A graveside service for Mrs. Coker will be held 3 o'clock, Thursday, May 29th, at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Rd, Columbia, with the Rev. Scott Holland officiating. The family will greet friends prior to the service beginning at 2 o'clock.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations to Resurrection Lutheran Church, 3707 Moss Ave, Columbia, SC 29205.