Larry Drendell Coker

Larry Drendell Coker was the firstborn child to William and Myrtle Coker, born November 7, 1951 in Suffolk, VA.

He attended Suffolk City Schools and was a 1969 graduate of Booker T. Washington High School. While in high school, Larry played football and sang in the school choir.  After high school, Larry enrolled in Control Data Institute in Arlington, VA . Upon completion of the program at Control Data Institue, Larry enlisted in the Army where he was stationed in Fort Dix New Jersey and Heidelberg Germany. When Larry’s enlistment ended, he continued his learning experiences at Norfolk State University, Tidewater Community College, and Pruden Vocational Technical Center. In the most recent years, Larry would utilize YouTube to learn how to do various things. He was employed by NASA in Greenbelt Maryland), Systems Management America, Virginia ABC Board and Smithfield Foods.

Larry was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church Mahan Street. He served on the Junior Usher Board and sang in the Temple Choir, Men’s Chorus, Suffolk Community Male Chorus, Chancel Choir and the Mass Choir. Larry loved his family, his church, music and sports. As a child he looked forward to the excursions to the beach with family and neighbors, backyard cookouts and the Booster Club cookouts.  As an adult he enjoyed being a member of the Suffolk Boosters Club until he began having issues with his health. He loved hanging out with his girls, making ice cream and family outings.  The love of music was nurtured by his parents. Jazz, R&B, Blues, Spirituals and Gospel music were his favorites.  He loved to sing and he could sing! He looked forward to Second Chance Gospel Ensemble rehearsals.  Larry was a diehard Washington Redskin fan.

Larry was predeceased by his father and mother, William and Myrtle Coker, and his brother Alonzo Coker.  

He is survived by his wife, Princess Benn Coker, daughters, Stacey Turner (Christopher Sr.), Torey Davis-Lee, Crystal Brown (Romie Mayfield), Angela Myrick, and Sheila Stallings (Kelly). Sisters Cathy Warren (Marvin), Karan Wright (John), and Tammy Coker. Brothers-in-law Wesley Benn, Keith Benn (Alice) and Scott Benn (Katrina).  Sister-in-law Jacquelyn Hollingsworth. Grandchildren Sydney Ward, Nia Bradshaw, Brittany Brown, Michela Brown-Mayfield, Jasmine Myrick, K. Jordan White, Christopher Turner Jr. and Chad Turner. Nine great-grandchildren – Mason Johnson, Marshall Johnson, Jada Barnes, Ma’khi Brown-Douglas, Justin Brown-Douglas, Makayla Brown, Khiree Eley, Embry Eley, Ava White. Uncle Otis Richards. Nephews and Nieces Duron Warren, Tyson Abrams, Kenneth Warren (LaToya), Kyle Warren, Sterling Coker, Rex Coker Sr. (Megan), Desiree Hawkins (TesJean), Savannah Coker, Jessica Goodwyn (Torrey), Rex Brown Jr., Christopher Brown, Torrence Gholami-Karimabad (Kayvan), Rashida Butcher and Abdul Wright.  Beloved cousins Carolyn Gay, Grace Bowie, Elaine Russell, Quentin Bembry, Andrea King, Sheree Mimms, Tracey Fletcher, Rodney Bembry, Latonya Blizzard, Paula Jones, Kay Jones, Leon Jones, Charlotte Uzzle, Neenah Gay, Judy Brown and many more cousins and great nephews and nieces.