Wilma Margie Coon passed away Thursday, March 8, 2018. We will gather for fellowship and remembrance from 6 to 8 PM Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers. Family and friends will gather to celebrate her life of 94 years on Thursday, March 15, 2018, at 10 AM at Monterey Baptist Church.
Wilma was born on October 5, 1923 to William and Alli (Bailey) Green at Minglewood, TN. She served in the US Navy from 1943-1945 as a nurse, spending time on the USS Rescue. Following her discharge from the military, she continued her work in nursing, moving to St. Louis, MO. There she met and married the love of her life Tom Coon on Feb. 14, 1948. The couple lived in Lubbock, where they were founding members of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, and active with the Heart of the Plains Kennel Club, where they trained and showed dogs for many years. Tom’s job took them to Denver, North Carolina and Georgia. In Atlanta, they attended the Episcopal Cathedral where Wilma served on the Altar Guild. She also became the first woman licensed lay reader and the first woman licensed challis bearer in the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta. Wilma was a homemaker and enjoyed volunteering with civic projects. She assisted her husband Tom operating a business for many years after his retirement. Following Tom’s death in 2004, Wilma joined Monterey Baptist Church. Wilma was very proud of her military service and at the age of 92 went on the honor flight from Lubbock to Washington DC. She was honored to be chosen to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and sister, Dorothy “Doti” Freidman.
Wilma is survived by her son, John T. Coon, Jr. and wife, Kathy of Pottsboro, granddaughter, Sherideth Proctor, and six great-grandchildren.