W. James "Jim" Coile

Nashville, Tenn. - July 18, 2009 - A native of Winterville, Ga., Mr. Coile was a graduate of the University of Georgia School of Landscape Architecture in Athens, Ga. Upon completion, he went on to graduate from the Southern Seminary in Louisville, Ky. Mr. Coile arrived in Nashville in 1957, after accepting a position at the Baptist Sunday School Board in the Church Architecture Department. In 1972, Mr. Coile moved his young family to Walterboro, S.C., after accepting a position with Robert Marvin & Associates, ASLA. After a brief stint in South Carolina, he returned to the Baptist Sunday School Board in Nashville to the newly created position of Master Planner in the Architecture Department. Mr. Coile received the Career of Excellence award from the Baptist Sunday School Board and, following his retirement from the Board, continued his private practice in landscape architecture with his son, Scott. For over fifty years, Jim has designed and consulted with clients across the United States and other parts of the world. The beauty of his designs will impact and influence lives for years to come.
Mr. Coile was a member of First Baptist Church Nashville for more than fifty years, a life deacon, chaired several committees and taught Sunday school for many years. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather "Papa" and devoted friend.
Mr. Coile is preceded in death by his parents, Charles Spurgeon Coile Sr. and Mattye Chandler Coile; brothers, Marion Chandler Coile and Charles Spurgeon Coile Jr.
He is survived by his wife, Lanell Harwell Coile; sons, James Scott (April) Coile and Stuart Chandler (Krissy) Coile; daughter, Sarah Coile (John) Galloway; grandchildren, Ellie, Miles, Murphy and Mack Coile and James, Will and Chandler Galloway; and countless extended family and lifelong friends.
Services were held at First Baptist Church Nashville on July 22. Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church Nashville, 108 7th Ave. S. Nashville, TN 37203-3989; the American Cancer Society, 2000 Charlotte Ave. Nashville, TN 37203; or The American Diabetes Association, 4205 Hillsboro Pike #200, Nashville, TN 37215-3339.
AUSTIN FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES, 615-377-0775.